7-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mutants and process for the preparation of ursodeoxycholic acid

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the invention provides a nucleic acid encoding a 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7β-HSDH) that catalyzes at least the stereospecific enzymatic reduction of a 7-ketosteroid to the corresponding 7-hydroxysteroid. The enzyme includes a mutation at position 64 of SEQ ID NO:2 or in the corresponding sequence positions of an amino acid sequence derived therefrom with at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2. The mutation at position 64 is the mutation R64X 1 , wherein X 1  represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W, I or Y. The enzyme shows the following property profile in comparison with the 7β-HSDH with SEQ ID NO:2: (a) an increased specific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for NADPH in the enzymatic reduction of dehydrocholic acid (DHCA) with NADPH as cofactor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 121 of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/434,808, filed Jun. 7, 2019, which is adivision pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/320,213, filed Dec. 19, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,358,672, issuedJul. 23, 2019, which is the U.S. national phase, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371, of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2015/067212, filed Jul.28, 2015, designating the United States and published in German on Feb.4, 2016 as publication WO 2016/016213A1, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(a) to European Patent Application No. 14178912.3, filedJul. 29, 2014. The entire disclosures of the aforementioned patentapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The invention relates to novel 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mutants,to the sequences which code for these enzyme mutants, to processes forthe preparation of the enzyme mutants and to their use in enzymaticconversions of cholic acid compounds, in particular in the preparationof ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); subject-matter of the invention is alsonovel processes for the synthesis of UDCA using enzyme mutants; and thepreparation of UDCA using recombinant, multiply modified microorganisms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bile acids are biomolecules which are required for the digestion andabsorption of fats, fatty acids and hydrophobic vitamins. A bile acidwhich is found, in humans, in small amounts only is ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA). It has recently gained great therapeutic importance in thedissolution of cholesterol-comprising gallstones. This compound isproduced industrially in ton quantity by chemical or enzymatic steps. Animportant precursor for the synthesis of UDCA is 12-ketoursodeoxycholicacid, which can be converted into UDCA by a Wolff-Kishner reduction. Aroute, described in the literature, for the synthesis of12-ketoursodeoxycholic acid starts with cholic acid(3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholanic acid), which may be prepared by twooxidative steps which are catalyzed by 7α- and 12α-HSDHs, and onereductive step, catalyzed by a 7β-HSDH (Bovara R et al. (1996) A newenzymatic route to the synthesis of 12-ketoursodeoxycholic acid.Biotechnol. Lett. 18:305-308; Monti D et al. (2009) One-potmultienzymatic synthesis of 12-ketoursodeoxycholic acid: Subtle cofactorspecificities rule the reaction equilibria of five biocatalysts workingin a row. Adv. Synth. Catal. 351:1303-1311). A further route starts with7-ketolithocholic acid, which may be converted into UDCA bystereoselectively reducing the 7-keto group; this step, too, isadvantageously carried out with enzymatic catalysis, catalyzed by a7β-HSDH (Higashi S et al. (1979) Conversion of 7-ketolithocholic acid toursodeoxycholic acid by human intestinal anaerobic microorganisms:Interchangeability of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid.Gastroenterologia Japonica 14:417-424; Liu L et al. (2011)Identification, cloning, heterologous expression, and characterizationof a NADPH-dependent 7 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase fromCollinsella aerofaciens. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 90:127-135). Afurther advantageous synthetic route starts with dehydrocholic acid(DHCA), which may be converted into 12-ketoursodeoxycholic acid by tworeductive steps; these two steps may be catalyzed by two stereoselectiveHSDHs (3α- and 7β-HSDHs) (Carrea G et al. (1992) Enzymatic synthesis of12-ketoursodeoxycholic acid from dehydrocholic acid in a membranereactor. Biotechnol. Lett. 14:1131-1135; Liu L et al. (2013) One-stepsynthesis of 12-ketoursodeoxycholic acid from dehydrocholic acid using amultienzymatic system. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 97:633-639).

The enzyme from C. aerofaciens has proved to be a very suitable 7β-HSDH.The gene sequence of this enzyme from C. aerofaciens is now known, sothat firstly the enzyme can be made available recombinantly aftercloning; secondly, it is possible to generate mutants of this enzyme byprotein engineering methods and therefore optionally to find moreadvantageous enzyme variants, as may be the case.

The active substances ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its diastereomerchenodesoxycholic acid (CDCA) have, inter alia, been employed for manyyears as medicaments for the treatment of gallstone complaints. The twocompounds differ merely by the configuration of the hydroxyl group on Catom 7 (UDCA: β-configuration, CDCA: α-configuration). To prepare UDCA,a variety of processes are described in the prior art, and theseprocesses are carried out by purely chemical means or else as acombination of chemical and enzymatic process steps.

The starting point is in each case cholic acid (CA), or CDCA, which isprepared starting from cholic acid.

Thus, the traditional chemical method for the preparation of UDCA isshown diagrammatically in FIG. 1A.

A severe disadvantage is, inter alia, the following: since the chemicaloxidation is not selective, the carboxyl group and the 3α- and7α-hydroxy group must be protected by esterification.

An alternative chemical/enzymatic process based on the use of the enzyme12α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (12α-HSDH) is shown in FIGS. 1B and 1 sdescribed for example in PCT/EP2009/002190 of the present applicant.

Here, the 12α-HSDH oxidizes CA selectively to give 12-keto-CDCA. The twoprotective steps which are required by the traditional chemical methodcan be dispensed with here.

Furthermore, Monti, D., et al., (One-Pot Multienzymatic Synthesis of12-Ketoursodeoxycholic Acid: Subtle Cofactor Specificities Rule theReaction Equilibria of Five Biocatalysts Working in a Row. AdvancedSynthesis & Catalysis, 2009) disclose an alternative enzymatic/chemicalprocess, which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1C.

The CA is oxidized first by the 7α-HSDH enzyme from Bacteroides fragilisATCC 25285 (Zhu, D., et al., Enzymatic enantioselective reduction of-ketoesters by a thermostable 7-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase fromBacteroides fragilis. Tetrahedron, 2006. 62(18): p. 4535-4539) and12α-HSDH to give 7,12-diketo-LCA. These two enzymes are in each caseNADH-dependent. After the reduction by 7β-HSDH (NADPH-dependent) fromClostridium absonum ATCC 27555 (DSM 599) (MacDonald, I. A. and P. D.Roach, Bile induction of 7 alpha-and 7 beta-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenases in Clostridium absonum. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981.665(2): p. 262-9), 12-keto-UDCA results. A Wolff-Kishner reduction givesthe end product. The disadvantage of this process is that a completeconversion is not possible due to the equilibrium situation of thecatalyzed reaction, and that two different enzymes must be employed inthe first step of the reaction, which makes the process more expensive.Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; for regenerating NAD⁺) and glucosedehydrogenase (GlcDH or GDH, for regenerating NADPH) are employed forcofactor regeneration. The disadvantage of the cofactor regenerationused in that reaction is that the co-product which forms can only beremoved with great difficulty from the reaction mixture, so that thereaction equilibrium cannot be influenced positively, which brings aboutincomplete conversion of the starting material.

A 7β-HSDH from the strain Collinsella aerofaciens ATCC 25986 (DSM 3979;previously Eubacterium aerofaciens) was described in 1982 by Hirano andMasuda (Hirano, S. and N. Masuda, Characterization of NADP-dependent 7beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases from Peptostreptococcus productus andEubacterium aerofaciens. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982. 43(5): p.1057-63). Sequence information for that enzyme was not disclosed. Themolecular weight as determined by gel filtration amounted to 45 000 Da(cf. Hirano, page 1059, left-hand column). Furthermore, the reduction ofthe 7-oxo group to the 7β-hydroxy group could not be observed for saidenzyme (cf. Hirano, page 1061, discussion, 1^(st) paragraph). A personskilled in the art can therefore see that the enzyme described by Hiranoet al. is not suitable for catalyzing the reduction of dehydrocholicacid (DHCA) in the 7-position to give 3,12-diketo-7β-CA.

The applicant's earlier international patent applicationPCT/EP2010/068576 describes a novel 7β-HSDH from Collinsella aerofaciensATCC 25986, which has, inter alia, a molecular weight (as determined bySDS gel electrophoresis) of approximately 28-32 kDa, a molecular weight(as determined by gel filtration, under non-denaturing conditions, suchas, in particular without SDS): of approximately 53 to 60 kDa, and theability of stereoselectively reducing the 7-carbonyl group of 7-keto-LCAto a 7β-hydroxy group.

Furthermore, PCT/EP2010/068576 provides a process for the preparation ofUDCA which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1D.

Thus, CA is oxidized in a simple manner via the traditional chemicalroute. The DHCA is reduced by the enzyme pair 7β-HSDH and 3α-HSDH,individually one after the other or else in one pot, to give12-keto-UDCA. In combination with Wolff-Kishner reduction, UDCA can thusbe synthesized in only three steps, starting from CA. While the 7β-HSDHenzyme is dependent on the cofactor NADPH, the 3α-HSDH enzyme requiresthe cofactor NADH. The availability of enzyme pairs which are dependenton the same cofactor or with extended dependence (for example on thecofactors NADH and NADPH) would be advantageous because it couldsimplify cofactor regeneration.

WO 2012/080504 describes novel 7β-HSDH mutants from C. aerofaciens inthe sequence region of the amino acid residues 36 to 42 of the C.aerofaciens sequence, and biocatalytic processes for the preparation ofUDCA, in particular also novel whole-cell processes.

WO 2011/147957 describes novel knock-out strains which are particularlysuitable for the preparation of UDCA since it has been possible toswitch off the undesired 7alpha-HSDH enzyme activity in targetedfashion.

The problem of the present invention is the provision of furtherimproved 7β-HSDHs. In particular, it was intended to provide enzymemutants which can be employed even more advantageously for the enzymaticor microbial preparation of UDCA via the stereospecific reduction ofDHCA in the 7-position to give 3,12-diketo-7β-CA, and which have inparticular an improved activity for substrate and/or cofactor, and/or ofa reduced substrate inhibition and/or altered cofactor utilization(increased, modified specificity or widened dependency).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, it was possible to solve the above problems by generatingand characterizing improved mutants of 7β-HSDH from aerobic bacteria ofthe genus Collinsella, in particular of the strain Collinsellaaerofaciens, and by employing them in the conversion of cholic acidcompounds, in particular the production of UDCA.

In the meantime, the gene sequence of this enzyme from C. aerofaciens isknown, so that, firstly, the enzyme can be made available recombinantlyafter having been cloned, and secondly there is the possibility ofgenerating mutants of this enzyme with protein engineering methods andtherefore of finding optionally more advantageous enzyme variants.

On the basis of structural and homology aspects, it has been attemptedin accordance with the invention to define sequence regions which mightbe responsible for coenzyme binding or else for substrate recognition.This results in possibilities in modifying, in a targeted fashion, aminoacids in these regions by means of mutagenesis so as to modify enzymeproperties by such structural modifications. Thus, what is known as the“Rossmann fold”, which is responsible for coenzyme binding, in theregion of the amino acids around approximately 10 to 64 in the case ofthe C. aerofaciens 7β-HSDH. In accordance with the invention, it has nowbeen attempted in particular to modify amino acids in this coenzymebinding region such that the enzyme accepts the more economic NADHinstead of NADPH. During the attempt of replacing the amino acidarginine in position 64 by aspartic acid it has been found,surprisingly, that this 7β-HSDH mutant has a markedly higher activity.This has subsequently also been confirmed in as far as a plurality offurther mutants, all of which had mutations in position 64, showedhigher activities than the wild-type enzyme. Even enzyme mutants whichhad been purified to homogeneity and which had been compared with thecorrespondingly purified wild-type enzyme demonstrated, surprisingly,markedly higher specific enzyme activities.

The improved activity can be identified particularly clearly by theincrease in the specific activity, in other words the activity value,based on the amount of protein, of the mutants 7β-HSDH-R64E, as well as7β-HSDH-R64D and 7β-HSDH-R64T. The expression 7β-HSDH-R64E means that,in the 7β-HSDH under consideration, the arginine (R) in position 64 theprotein sequence has been replaced by glutamic acid (E). The technicalterm 7β-HSDH-R64D, where arginine in position 64 had been exchanged foraspartic acid (D), should be read analogously. The 7β-HSDH which can beobtained from C. aerofaciens is referred to as the wild-type enzyme.

Furthermore, the above problem has been solved by providing abiocatalytic (microbial and/or enzymatic) process, comprising theenzymatic conversion of DHCA into 12-keto-UDCA via two reductivepart-steps catalyzed by the 7β-HSDH mutants and 3α-HSDH describedherein, which may occur simultaneously or staggered in any sequence, andcofactor regeneration by using dehydrogenases, which regenerate theconsumed cofactor from both reductive part-steps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows diagrammatically the traditional method for thepreparation of UDCA.

FIG. 1B shows an alternative chemical/enzymatic process based on the useof the enzyme 12α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (12α-HSDH). FIG. 1C showsdiagrammatically an alternative enzymatic chemical process. FIG. 1Dshows diagrammatically a process for the preparation of UDCA.

FIG. 2A shows the amino acid sequence of the Collinsella aerofaciens7β-HSDH (SEQ ID NO:2), and FIG. 2B shows the coding nucleic acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) for the amino acid sequence of FIG. 2A; FIG. 2Cshows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7) of the Comanomonastestosteroni 3α-HSDH, and FIG. 2D shows the coding nucleic acid sequence(SEQ ID NO: 9) for the amino acid sequence of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3A shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 3) of the Collinsellaaerofaciens 7β-HSDH; C-terminally extended by the His-Tag sequenceLEHHHHHH (amino acids 264-271 of SEQ ID NO: 3); FIG. 3B shows the aminoacid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4) of mutant 7β-HSDH [R64E] derived therefrom;FIG. 3C shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7) of mutant 7β-HSDH[G39S] derived therefrom; and FIG. 3D shows the amino acid sequence (SEQID NO: 6) of mutant 7β-HSDH [G39S/R64E] derived therefrom.

FIG. 4 shows the plotting of the specific enzyme activity of theglutamic acid mutant [R64E] for the substrate DHCA (image on the left)and for the coenzyme NADPH (image on the right).

FIG. 5 shows the plotting of the specific enzyme activity of the serinemutant for the substrate DHCA (image on the left) and for the coenzymeNADPH (image on the right).

FIG. 6 shows: the SDS gel of the 7β-HSDH [G39S/R64E] mutant afterexpression in shake-flask fermentation in LB medium. The cell-free crudeextract and the enzyme after purification were applied. The 7β-HSDHmutant has a size of approx. 29.9 kDa. Approximately 10 μg of proteinwere applied.

FIG. 7 shows the plotting of the specific enzyme activity of the dualmutant [G39S/R64E] for the substrate DHCA (image on the left) and forthe coenzyme NADPH (image on the right).

FIG. 8 shows the comparison of the kinetics of some mutants inaccordance with the invention (inverted triangle (

): 7β-HSDH [R64E]; square (

) 7β-HSDH [G39S]; triangle (

) 7β-HSDH [G39S/R64E]) with the wild type (dot(

).

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In particular, the invention relates to the following specificembodiments:

1. 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7β-HSDH), 7β-HSDH, which catalyzesat least the stereospecific enzymatic reduction of a 7-ketosteroid tothe corresponding 7-hydroxysteroid, the enzyme being derived from anenzyme with SEQ ID NO:2, or from an enzyme comprising this sequence,such as, for example, an enzyme comprising SEQ ID NO:3 (i.e., SEQ IDNO:2 which has been extended N-terminally by one histidine tag orhistidine anchor sequence), wherein the enzyme comprises a mutation atposition 17 and/or 64 of SEQ ID NO:2 (or, for example, of SEQ ID NO:3)or at the corresponding sequence positions of an amino acid sequencederived therefrom with at least 80%, such as, for example, at least 85,90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 99.5% sequence identity to SEQID NO:2 (or, for example, of SEQ ID NO:3).2. 7β-HSDH, which catalyzes at least the stereospecific enzymaticreduction of a 7-ketosteroid to the corresponding 7-hydroxysteroid, andwhich has an amino acid sequence which is modified by amino acidmutation in SEQ ID NO:2 (or, for example, in SEQ ID NO:3), the aminoacid sequence mutation being selected among single or multiple mutationscomprising:a) R64X₁ and/orb) T17X₂where X₁ represents an amino acid residue which is other than arginine(R), in particular a proteinogenic amino acid residue, in particular anamino acid which increases any specific activity and/or which reducessubstrate inhibition and/or which modifies cofactor utilization orcofactor dependency, in particular a natural amino acid;andand X₂ represents a proteinogenic amino acid residue which is other thanthreonine (T), in particular an amino acid which increases any specificactivity and/or which reduces substrate inhibition and/or which modifiescofactor utilization or cofactor dependency, in particular a naturalamino acid;the mutated, i.e., modified, amino acid sequence having a sequenceidentity to SEQ ID NO:2 (or, for example, to SEQ ID NO:3) of 80% to lessthan 100%, such as, for example, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98,99 or 99.5% sequence identity, preferably of at least 85%, in particularof at least 90%.3. 7β-HSDH as per embodiment 1 or 2, which additionally has at least onemutation in the sequence motif VMVGRRE as per position 36 to 42, inparticular position 39, of SEQ ID NO:2 (or, for example, of SEQ ID NO:3)or in the corresponding sequence motif of an amino acid sequence derivedtherefrom with at least 80% sequence identity, such as, for example, 85,90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 99.5% sequence identity, toSEQ ID NO:2 (or, for example, to SEQ ID NO:3).4. 7β-HSDH as per embodiment 3, which has additionally the amino acidsequence mutationc) G39X₃,where X₃ represents an amino acid residue other than glycine (G), inparticular a proteinogenic amino acid residue, in particular an aminoacid which increases any specific activity and/or which reducessubstrate inhibition and/or which modifies cofactor utilization orcofactor dependency, in particular a natural amino acid.5. 7β-HSDH as per one of the preceding embodiments, selected amonga) the single mutants

R64X₁ and

T17X₂ and the

b) the dual mutants

R64X₁/G39X₃,

wherein

X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, inparticular E, D, T, L, S, P or V;

X₂ represents F, A, I, or S,

X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R, in particular S or A.

Nonlimiting Examples of Suitable Single Mutants Comprise:

R64A, R64S, R64D, R64V, R64T, R64P, R64N, R64E, R64Q, R64H, R64RL, R64K,R64C, R64G, R641, R64Y, R64F and R64W, and

T17F, T17A, T171, T17S.

Nonlimiting Examples of Suitable Dual Mutants Comprise:

(G39S/R64E); (G39S/R64D); (G39S/R64T); (G39S/R64L); (G39S/R64S);(G39S/R64P); (G39S/R64V); (G39A/R64E); (G39A/R64D); (G39A/R64T);(G39A/R64S); (G39A/R64L); (G39A/R64P); (G39A/R64V);

What has been said above for single and dual mutants applies inparticular to SEQ ID NOs:2 and 3.

6. 7β-HSDH as per one of the previous embodiments, which, in comparisonwith the unmutated 7β-HSDH with SEQ ID NO:2 (or, for example, with SEQID NO:3) shows at least one of the following properties or the followingproperty profiles:

-   a) an increased specific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for dehydrocholic    acid (DHCA) in the enzymatic reduction of DHCA with NAD(P)H, in    particular NADPH, as cofactor; wherein, for example, the specific    activity (U/mg) in the presence of the cofactor NAD(P)H, in    particular NADPH, in comparison with the unmutated enzyme is    increased by at least 1, 5, 10, 50 or 100%, but in particular at    least by 1-fold, in particular by 2- to 100-fold or 3- to 20-fold or    5- to 10-fold.-   b) an increased specific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for NAD(P)H, in    particular NADPH, in the enzymatic reduction of DHCA with NAD(P)H,    in particular NADPH, as cofactor; wherein, for example, the specific    activity (U/mg) in the presence of the cofactor NAD(P)H, in    particular NADPH, in comparison with the unmutated enzyme is    increased by at least 1, 5, or 10%, but in particular at least by    1-fold, in particular by 2- to 10-fold-   c) a reduced substrate inhibition by DHCA, such as, for example,    with Ki values in the range of from >1 mM, such as, for example, at    1 to 200 mM, 2 to 150 mM, 2.5 to 100 mM;-   d) a modified cofactor specificity with respect to NADH and NADPH    such as, for example, a widened specificity, that is to say    utilization of an additional cofactor which has previously not been    utilized, in particular NADPH;-   e) it being possible for these properties a) to d) to be present    individually or in any combination.

Further specific embodiments relate to 7β-HSDH mutants with SEQ ID NO:2or with SEQ ID NO:3 or a sequence derived therefrom with a degree ofidentity of at least 80% or at least 85%, in particular at least 90%, tothe wild-type sequence with at least one of the above properties a), b),c), d) or e).

Further examples which may be mentioned are:

-   -   (1) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above property a).    -   (2) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above property b).    -   (3) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above property c).    -   (4) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above property d).    -   (5) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above properties a)        and b).    -   (6) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above properties a)        and c).    -   (7) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above properties a)        and d).    -   (8) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above properties b)        and c)    -   (9) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants R64X₁        in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W,        I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V, especially        preferably E, and which have at least the above properties b)        and d).    -   (10) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        R64X₁ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q,        F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        especially preferably E, and which have at least the above        properties a) to d)    -   (11) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above property a).    -   (12) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above property b).    -   (13) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above property c).    -   (14) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above property d).    -   (15) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above properties a) and b).    -   (16) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above properties a) and c).    -   (17) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above properties a) and d).    -   (18) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above properties b) and c).    -   (19) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above properties b) and d).    -   (20) Examples which may be mentioned are the single mutants        T17X₂ in which X₂ represents an amino acid residue which is        other than T, in particular F, A, I, or S, and which have at        least the above properties a) to d).    -   (21) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above property        a).    -   (22) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above property        b).    -   (23) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above property        c).    -   (24) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above property        d).    -   (25) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above        properties a) and b).    -   (26) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above        properties a) and c).    -   (27) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above        properties a) and d).    -   (28) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above        properties b) and c).    -   (29) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above        properties b) and d).    -   (30) Examples which may be mentioned are the dual mutants        R64X₁/G39X₃ in which X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,        G, Q, F, W, I, Y, H or N, in particular E, D, T, L, S, P or V,        preferably E, and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R,        preferably S or A, and which have at least the above        properties a) to d).

The exemplary embodiments (1) to (30) which have been listed hereinaboverelate in particular to mutants of 7β-HSDH with SEQ ID NO:2 or with SEQID NO:3 and moreover have a degree of identity of at least 80% or atleast 85%, in particular at least 90%.

7. Nucleotide sequence which codes for a 7β-HSDH as per one of thepreceding embodiments.

Examples which may be mentioned are nucleic acid sequences selectedamong nucleic acid sequences

a) simultaneously coding for a GDH and a 7β-HSDH mutant as per one ofthe embodiments 1 to 6 and optionally a 3α-HSDH;

b) coding for a fusion protein comprising a GDH and a 7β-HSDH mutant asper one of the embodiments 1 to 6 and optionally a 3α-HSDH;

where the coding sequences independently of one another may be presentsingularly or multiply in the construct, such as, for example, in 2, 3,4, 5, or 6 to 10 copies. Thus, any existing differences in the activityof the individual expression products may be compensated for by choosingthe suitable copy number.8. Expression cassette, comprising at least one nucleotide sequence asper embodiment 7 under the control of at least one regulatory sequenceand optionally coding sequences for at least one (such as, for example,1, 2 or 3) further enzyme, selected among hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases,in particular 3α-HSDH, and dehydrogenases which are suitable forcofactor regeneration, such as, for example, FDH, GDH, ADH, G-6-PDH,PDH. In particular, the enzymes which are present in an expressioncassette may utilize different, but preferably identical, pairs ofcofactors, such as, for example, the pair of cofactors NAD⁺/NADH orNADP⁺/NADPH.9. Expression vector, comprising at least one expression cassette as perembodiment 8.10. Recombinant microorganism which bears at least one nucleotidesequence as per embodiment 7 or at least one expression cassette 8 or atleast one expression vector as per embodiment 9.11. Recombinant microorganism as per embodiment 10 which additionallyoptionally bears the coding sequence for at least one further enzyme,selected among hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDH) and dehydrogenaseswhich are suitable for cofactor regeneration.12. Recombinant microorganism as per embodiment 11, the further HSHDbeing selected among 3α-HSDHs; andthe dehydrogenase is selected among NADPH-regenerating enzymes, such asNADPH dehydrogenases, alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH), andNADPH-regenerating formate dehydrogenases (FDH), and also glucosedehydrogenase (GDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) orphosphite dehydrogenases (PtDH), or NADH-regenerating enzymes, such asNADH dehydrogenases, NADH-regenerating formate dehydrogenases (FDH),NADH-regenerating alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH), NADH-regeneratingglucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (G6PDH), NADH-regenerating phosphitedehydrogenases (PtDH) and NADH-regenerating glucose dehydrogenases(GDH).

An example which may be mentioned is a recombinant microorganism whichis capable of simultaneously expressing an inventive 7β-HSDH mutant, aherein described GDH and optionally a herein described 3α-HSDH.

Recombinant microorganism as per one of embodiments 29 to 33 which bearsthe coding sequences for 7β-HSDH mutant, GDH or mutants thereof and3α-HSDH and one or more (different) expression constructs.Subject-matter of the invention is therefore recombinant microorganismswhich are modified (such as, for example, transformed) with asingle-plasmid system which bear the coding sequences for 7β-HSDHmutant, GDH or mutants thereof and 3α-HSDH or mutants thereof in one ormore copies, such as, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 to 10 copies.Subject-matter of the invention is therefore also recombinantmicroorganisms which are modified (such as, for example, transformed)with a single-plasmid system which bear the coding sequences for 7β-HSDHor mutants thereof, GDH or mutants thereof and 3α-HSDH or mutantsthereof in one or more copies such as, for example, in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6to 10 copies. The enzymes (7β-HSDH, GDH and 3α-HSDH or their mutants)may, however, also be present in one or more copies on 2 or 3 separateplasmids which are compatible with each other. Suitable basic vectorsfor the preparation of single-plasmid systems and multicopy plasmids areknown to the person skilled in the art. Examples which may be mentionedfor a single-plasmid system are, for example, pET21a, and for multicopyplasmids for example the Duet vectors, which are available from Novagen,such as pACYCDuet-1, pETDuet-1, pCDFDuet-1, pRSFDuet-1 and pCOLADuet-1.Such vectors, their compatibility with other vectors and microbial hoststrains can be found for example in the “User Protocol” TB340 Rev. E0305from Novagen.

The optimal combination of enzymes for generating plasmid systems may bedone by the person skilled in the art without undue burden, taking intoconsideration the teaching of the present invention. Thus, for example,the person skilled in the art may select, for example as a function ofthe cofactor specificity of the 7β-HSDH enzyme used in each case, theenzyme which is best suited to cofactor regeneration, selected among theabovementioned dehydrogenases, in particular GDH and the respectivemutants thereof.

Furthermore, it is possible to distribute the enzymes chosen for theconversion to two or more plasmids, and to prepare, using the plasmidsthus prepared, two or more different recombinant microorganisms whichare then employed together for the inventive biocatalytic conversion.The respective enzyme combination used for preparing the plasmid may, inthis context, in particular also take place with the requirement of acomparable cofactor utilization. Thus, for example, a firstmicroorganism may be modified with a plasmid which bears the codingsequence for a 7β-HSDH mutant and a GDH. A second microorganism, incontrast, may be modified with a plasmid which bears the coding sequencefor a 3α-HSDH and the coding sequence for a GDH. Both pairs of enzymesmay be chosen such that they are capable of regenerating identical pairsof cofactors. Both microorganisms can then be employed simultaneouslyfor the inventive biocatalytic conversion.

The use of two separate biocatalysts (recombinant microorganisms) mayhave two essential advantages over the use of only one biocatalyst inwhich all enzymes for the synthesis are expressed:

a) both biocatalysts may be genetically modified and optimizedseparately from one another. In particular, it is possible to usevarious cofactor regeneration enzymes, which are optimized either forthe regeneration of NADH or a NADPH.

b) It is possible to employ the biocatalysts in differing proportionsfor the biocatalysis. This allows engaging in the individual reactionrates of the multienzyme process during biocatalysis, even after all thebiocatalysts have already been prepared.

13. Recombinant microorganism as per one of embodiments 10 to 12, whichis a 7α-HSDH knock-out strain, wherein the strain is as described, forexample, in WO 2011/147957.

14. Process for the enzymatic or microbial synthesis of7β-hydroxysteroids, wherein the corresponding 7-ketosteroid is reducedin the presence of a 7β-HSDH as per the definition in one of embodiments1 to 6 or in the presence of a recombinant microorganism which expressesthis 7β-HSDH as per one of embodiments 10 to 13, and optionally at leastone formed reduction product is isolated from the reaction mixture.15. Process as per embodiment 14, wherein the 7-ketosteroid is selectedamong dehydrocholic acid (DHCA),7-keto-lithocholic acid (7-keto-LCA),7,12-diketo-lithocholic acid (7,12-diketo-LCA) andthe derivatives thereof such as, in particular, a salt, an amide or analkyl ester of the acid.16. Process as per embodiment 14 or 15, wherein the reduction takesplace in the presence of and in particular with the consumption of NADPHand/or NADH.17. Process as per embodiment 16, wherein consumed NADPH is regeneratedby coupling with an NADPH-regenerating enzyme, wherein the latter isselected in particular among NADPH dehydrogenases, alcoholdehydrogenases (ADH) and NADPH-regenerating formate dehydrogenases (FDH)and an NADPH-regenerating glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), wherein theNADPH-regenerating enzyme is optionally expressed by a recombinantmicroorganism; and/or where consumed NADH is regenerated by couplingwith an NADH-regenerating enzyme, wherein the latter is selected inparticular among NADH-dehydrogenases, NADH-regenerating formatedehydrogenases (FDH), NADH-regenerating alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH),NADH-regenerating glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (G6PDH),NADH-regenerating phosphite dehydrogenases (PtDH) and NADH-regeneratingglucose dehydrogenases (GDH), wherein the NADH-regenerating enzyme isoptionally expressed in a recombinant microorganism.18. Process as per embodiment 17, wherein the NADPH-regenerating enzymeis selected amonga) FDHs, including mutants of a NAD⁺-dependent FDH, which catalyzes atleast the enzymatic oxidation of formic acid to CO₂, wherein the mutantin comparison with the unmutated enzyme additionally accepts NADP⁺ ascofactor; andb) GDHs.19. Process for the preparation of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) of theformula (1) in which

R represents alkyl, H, an alkali metal ion or N(R³)₄ ⁺, wherein theradicals R³ are identical or different and represent H or alkyl, or thegroup —CO₂R is replaced by the acid amide group —CONR¹R², wherein R¹ andR² independently of one another represent an alkyl radical;in whicha) optionally a cholic acid (CA) of the formula (2)

in which R has the abovementioned meanings or the group —CO₂R isreplaced by the acid amide group —CONR¹R² as defined hereinaboveis oxidized chemically to dehydrocholic acid (DHCA) of the formula (3)

in which R has the abovementioned meanings or the group —CO₂R isreplaced by the acid amide group —CONR¹R² as defined hereinabove;b) DHCA is reduced in the presence of at least one 7β-HSDH mutant as perthe definition in one of the embodiments 1 to 6 (being present as theisolated enzyme or expressed by a corresponding recombinantmicroorganism) and in the presence of at least one 3α-HSDH (beingpresent as the isolated enzyme or expressed by a correspondingrecombinant microorganism) to the corresponding 12-keto-ursodeoxycholicacid (12-keto UDCA) of the formula (5)

in which R has the abovementioned meanings or the group —CO₂R isreplaced by the acid amide group —CONR¹R² as defined hereinabove, inparticular in the presence and with the consumption of NADH and/orNADPH, and subsequentlyc) 12-keto-UDCA of the formula (5) is reduced chemically to UDCA; andd) optionally, the reaction product is purified further.20. Process as per embodiment 19, wherein at least step b) is carriedout in the presence of a recombinant microorganism as per one ofembodiments 10 to 13.21. Process as per embodiment 19 or 20, wherein step b) is coupled withidentical or different cofactor regeneration systems.22. Process for the preparation of UDCA of the formula (1)

in whichR represents alkyl, NR¹R², H, an alkali metal ion or N(R³)₄ ⁺, whereinthe radicals R³ are identical or different and represent H or alkyl, orthe group —CO₂R is replaced by the acid amide group —CONR¹R², as definedhereinabovein whicha) optionally a cholic acid (CA) of the formula (2)

in which R has the abovementioned meanings or the group —CO₂R isreplaced by the acid amide group —CONR¹R² as defined hereinabove isoxidized chemically to DHCA of the formula (3)

in which R has the abovementioned meanings or the group —CO₂R isreplaced by the acid amide group —CONR¹R² as defined hereinabove;b) DHCA is reduced in the presence of at least one 7β-HSDH and in thepresence of at least one 3α-HSDH to the corresponding 12-keto UDCA ofthe formula (5)

in which R has the abovementioned meanings or the group —CO₂R isreplaced by the acid amide group —CONR¹R² as defined hereinabove, inparticular in the presence and with the consumption of NADH and/orNADPH, and subsequentlyc) 12-keto-UDCA of the formula (5) is reduced chemically to UDCA; andd) optionally, the reaction product is purified further;wherein the conversions of step b) are carried out in the presence of arecombinant microorganism as per one of embodiments 10 to 13, such as,for example, in the presence of whole cells of one or more differentrecombinant microorganisms as per one of embodiments 10 to 13, whereinthe microorganism(s) includes the enzymes required for the conversionand the cofactor regeneration in a manner described herein in greaterdetail.

In this context, process step b) can be configured in different ways.Either both enzymes (7β-HSDH mutant and 3α-HSDH) may be present at thesame time (for example one-top reaction with both isolated enzymes, orone or more corresponding recombinant microorganisms which express bothenzymes are present), or the partial reactions may proceed in anydesired order (first the 7β-HSDH mutant-catalyzed reduction and then the3α-HSDH-catalyzed reduction; or first the 3α-HSDH-catalyzed reductionand then the 7β-HSDH mutant-catalyzed reduction).

Step b) may furthermore be coupled with a cofactor regeneration systemin which NADPH is regenerated by an NADPH regenerating GDH withconsumption of glucose, or is coupled with a cofactor regenerationsystem in which consumed NADH is regenerated by an NADH-regeneratingGDH, ADH or FDH.

23. Bioreactor for carrying out a process as per one of embodiments 14to 22, in particular comprising at least one of the enzymes 7β-HSDH, FDHand/or 3α-HSDH or their mutants; or 7β-HSDH, GDH and/or 3α-HSDH or theirmutants.

The present invention is not limited to the concrete embodimentsdescribed herein. Rather, the teaching of the present invention allows aperson skilled in the art to provide further developments of theinvention without undue burden. Thus, for example, he may generatefurther enzyme mutants in a targeted manner and screen and optimize themfor the desired property profile (improved cofactor dependency and/orstability, reduced substrate inhibition); or he may isolate furthersuitable wild-type enzymes (7β- and 3α-HSDHs, FDHs, GDHs ADHs etc.) anduse them in accordance with the invention. Furthermore, he may, forexample depending on the property profile (in particular cofactordependency) of the HSDHs used, such as, in particular, 7β-HSDH and3α-HSDH or mutants thereof, select suitable dehydrogenases which can beused for cofactor regeneration (GDH, FHD, ADH and the like) and mutantsthereof, and distribute the selected enzymes to one or more expressionconstructs or vectors and thus, if required, generate one or morerecombinant microorganisms which then make possible an optimizedpreparation process based on whole cells.

Further Developments of the Invention 1. General Definitions, andAbbreviations Used

Unless otherwise specified, the term “7β-HSDH” refers to a dehydrogenaseenzyme which catalyzes at least the stereospecific and/or regiospecificreduction of DHCA or 7,12-diketo-3α-CA (7,12-diketo-LCA) to obtain3,12-diketo-7β-CA or 12-keto-UDCA, in particular with the stoichiometricconsumption of NADPH, and optionally the corresponding reverse reaction.In this context, the enzyme may be a native or a recombinantly producedenzyme. The enzyme may, in principle, be present as a mixture withcellular contaminants, such as, for example, protein contaminants, butpreferably be present in pure form. Suitable detection methods aredescribed, for example, in the experimental part which follows or areknown from the literature (for example Characterization ofNADP-dependent 7 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases fromPeptostreptococcus productus and Eubacterium aerofaciens. S Hirano and NMasuda. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1982). Enzymes of this activity areclassified under EC number 1.1.1.201.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “3α-HSDH” refers to a dehydrogenaseenzyme which catalyzes at least the stereospecific and/or regiospecificreduction of 3,12-diketo-7β-CA or DHCA to 12-keto-UDCA or7,12-diketo-3α-CA (7,12-diketo-LCA), in particular with thestoichiometric consumption of NADH and/or NADPH, and optionally thecorresponding reverse reaction.

Suitable detection methods are described, for example, in theexperimental part hereinbelow or are known from the literature. Suitableenzymes are obtainable for example from Comanomonas testosteroni (e.g.ATCC11996). An NADPH-dependent 3α-HSDH is known for example from rodentsand can likewise be employed (Cloning and sequencing of the cDNA for ratliver 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, J E Pawlowski, MHuizinga and T M Penning, May 15, 1991 The Journal of BiologicalChemistry, 266, 8820-8825). Enzymes of this activity are classifiedunder EC number 1.1.1.50.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “GDH” refers to a dehydrogenaseenzyme which catalyzes at least the oxidation of β-D-glucose toD-glucono-1,5-actone with the stoichiometric consumption of NAD⁺ and/orNADP⁺ and optionally the corresponding reverse reaction. Suitableenzymes can be obtained for example from Bacillus subtili or Bacillusmegaterium. Enzymes of this activity are classified under EC number1.1.1.47.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “FDH” refers to a dehydrogenaseenzyme which catalyzes at least the oxidation of formic acid (orcorresponding formate salts) to carbon dioxide with the stoichiometricconsumption of NAD⁺ and/or NADP⁺, and optionally the correspondingreverse reaction. Suitable detection methods are described, for example,in the experimental part hereinbelow or from the literature. Suitableenzymes can be obtained for example from Candida boidinii, Pseudomonassp or Mycobacterium vaccae. Enzymes with this activity are classifiedunder EC number 1.2.1.2.

According to the invention, a “pure form” or a “pure” or “essentiallypure” enzyme is understoof according to the invention to be an enzymewith a degree of purity of more than 80, preferably more than 90, inparticular more than 95 and especially more than 99% by weight, based onthe total protein content, determined with the aid of customary proteindetection methods such as, for example, the Biuret method or the proteindetection as described by Lowry et al. (cf. description in R. K. Scopes,Protein Purification, Springer Verlag, New York, Heidelberg, Berlin(1982)).

A “redoxi equivalent” is understood as meaning a low-molecular-weightorganic compound which can be used as an electron donor and/or electronacceptor, such as, for example, nicotinamide derivates such as NAD⁺ andNADH⁺, and their reduced forms NADH and NADPH, respectively. In thecontext of the present invention, “redox equivalent” and “cofactor” areused synonymously. For the purposes of the invention, therefore, a“cofactor” may also be paraphrased as a “redox-capable cofactor”, thatis to say a cofactor which may be present in reduced and in oxidizedform.

A “consumed” cofactor is understood as meaning the reduced or oxidizedform of the cofactor which, in the course of a given reduction oroxidation reaction of a substrate, is converted into the correspondingoxidized or reduced form, respectively. Regeneration returns theoxidized or reduced cofactor formed during the reaction into its reducedor oxidized initial form, respectively, so that it is again availablefor the conversion of the substrate.

According to the present invention, an “altered cofactor utilization” isunderstood as meaning a qualitative or quantitative alteration incomparison with a reference. In particular, an altered cofactorutilization can be observed by carrying out amino acid sequencemutations. This alteration can then be discerned in comparison with theunmutated starting enzyme. Here, the activity relative to a certaincofactor may be increased or reduced by carrying out a mutation, orcompletely prevented. An altered cofactor utilization, however, alsocomprises alterations such that, instead of a specificity for a singlecofactor, at least one further, second cofactor which is different fromthe first cofactor can now be utilized (i.e., extended cofactorutilization exists).

Conversely, however, an ability, originally present, of utilizing twodifferent cofactors may be altered such that specificity is increasedfor one of these cofactors only, or reduced or completely eliminated forone of these cofactors only. Thus, for example, an enzyme which isdependent on cofactor NAD (NADH) may, owing to an alteration of thecofactor utilization, now be dependent on both NAD (NADH) and on thecofactor NADP (NADPH), or the original dependency of NAD (NADH) mayfully be converted into a dependency of NADP (NADPH), and vice versa.

Unless otherwise specified, the expressions “NAD⁺/NADH dependency” or“NADP⁺/NADPH dependency” should be interpreted broadly in accordancewith the invention. These expressions comprise not only a “specific”dependencies, i.e., exclusively dependency on NAD⁺/NADH and/orNADP⁺/NADPH, but also the dependency of the enzymes used in accordancewith the invention on both cofactors, i.e., dependency of NAD⁺/NADH andNADP⁺/NADPH.

The same applies to the expressions used “NAD⁺/NADH-accepting” and/or“NADP⁺/NADPH-accepting”.

Unless otherwise specified, the expressions “NAD⁺/NADH regenerating” or“NADP⁺/NADPH regenerating” should be interpreted broadly in accordancewith the invention. For these expressions comprise not only “specific”,i.e., exclusive ability of regenerating consumed cofactor NAD⁺/NADHand/or NADP⁺/NADPH, but also the ability of regenerating both cofactors,i.e., NAD⁺/NADH and NADP⁺/NADPH.

“Proteinogenic” amino acids comprise in particular (one-letter code): G,A, V, L, I, F, P, M, W, S, T, C, Y, N, Q, D, E, K, R and H.

According to the invention, an “immobilization” is understood as meaningthe covalent or noncovalent bonding of a biocatalyst used in accordancewith the invention, such as, for example, a 7β-HSDH, to a solid supportmaterial, i.e., a support material which is essentially insoluble in thesurrounding liquid medium. According to the invention, whole cells, suchas the recombinant microorganisms which are used in accordance with theinvention, may also be immobilized with the aid of such supports.

A “substrate inhibition which is reduced in comparison with theunmutated enzymes” means that the substrate inhibition observed in theunmutated enzyme for a particular substrate can no longer be observed,i.e., is essentially no longer capable of being measured or commencesonly at a higher substrate concentration, i.e., the K_(i) value isincreased.

According to the invention, a “cholic acid compound” is understood asmeaning compounds with the carbon skeleton, in particular the steroidstructure, of cholic acid, and the presence of keto and/or hydroxyland/or acyloxy groups at ring position 7 and optionally positions 3and/or 12.

A compound of a specific type such as, for example, a “cholic acidcompound” or an “ursodeoxycholic acid compound” is, in particular, alsounderstood as meaning derivatives of the underlying starting compound(such as, for example, cholic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid).

Such derivatives comprise “salts” such as, for example, alkali metalsalts, such as lithium, sodium and potassium salts of the compounds; andammonium salts, where under an ammonium salt is comprised the NH₄ ⁺ saltor those ammonium salts in which at least one hydrogen atom can bereplaced by a C₁-C₆ alkyl radical. Typical alkyl radicals are, inparticular C₁-C₄-alkyl radicals, such as methyl, ethyl, n- or i-propyl-,n-, sec- or tert-butyl, and n-pentyl and n-hexyl, and their analogs withone or more branches.

“Alkyl esters” of compounds according to the invention are, inparticular, lower alkyl esters such as, for example, C₁-C₆-alkyl esters.Nonlimiting examples which may be mentioned are methyl, ethyl, n- ori-propyl-, n-, sec- or tert-butyl esters, or longer chain esters suchas, for example, n-pentyl and n-hexyl esters, and their analogs with oneor more branches.

“Amides” are, in particular, reaction products of acids according to theinvention with ammonia or with primary or secondary monoamides. Suchamides are, for example, mono- or di-C₁-C₆-alkyl monoamines, it beingpossible for the alkyl radicals independently of one another optionallyto be substituted further such as, for example, by carboxyl, hydroxyl,halogen (such as F, Cl, Br, I), nitro and sulfonate groups.

“Acyl groups” according to the invention are, in particular, nonaromaticgroups with 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as, for example, acetyl, propyonyland butyryl, and aromatic groups with an optionally substitutedmononuclear aromatic ring, suitable substitutents being selected forexample among hydroxyl, halogen (such as F, Cl, Br, I), nitro andC₁-C₆-alkyl groups such as, for example, benzoyl or toluoyl.

The hydroxysteroid compounds applied and/or produced in accordance withthe invention such as, for example, cholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid,12-keto-chenodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and7-keto-ithocholic acid, can be employed in the presence according to theinvention, or obtained therefrom, in stereoisomerically pure form or ina mixture with other stereoisomers. Preferably, however, the compoundsapplied and/or produced are employed and/or isolated in essentiallystereoisomerically pure form.

The chemical names and the abbreviations of essential chemical compoundsare tabulated in the table herein below:

Abbreviation Chemical Name CA Cholic Acid DHCA Dehydrocholic Acid3,12-diketo-7β-CA 3,12-diketo-7β-cholanic acid 12-keto-UDCA12-keto-ursodeoxycholic acid UDCA Ursodeoxycholic acid CA methyl esterCholic acid methyl ester 3,7-diacetyl-CA methyl ester 3,7-diacetylcholicacid methyl ester 12-keto-3,7-diacetyl-CA 12-keto-3,7-diacetyl-cholanicacid methyl ester methyl ester CDCA Chenodeoxycholic acid 7-keto-LCA7-keto-lithocholic acid 7,12-diketo-LCA 7,12-diketo-lithocholic acid12-keto-CDCA 12-keto-chenodeoxycholic acid

2. Proteins

The present invention is not restricted to the specifically disclosedproteins or enzymes with 7β-HSDH, FDH, GDH or 3α-HSDH activity and/ortheir mutants, but, rather, it also extends to functional equivalentsthereof.

For the purposes of the present invention “functional equivalents” oranalogs of the specifically disclosed enzymes are polypeptides whichdiffer from the former and which still retain the desired biologicalactivity such as, for example, 7β HSDH activity.

Thus, for example, the expression “functional equivalents” is understoodas meaning enzymes which, in the 7β-HSDH, FDH, GDH or 3α-HSDH activitytest used, have an activity which is by at least 1%, such as, forexample, at least 10% or 20%, such as, for example, at least 50% or 75%or 90% higher or lower than that of a starting enzyme comprising anamino acid sequence defined herein.

Functional equivalents are furthermore stable preferably between pH 4 to11 and advantageously have a pH optimum in a range of from pH 6 to 10,such as, in particular, 8.5 to 9.5, and a temperature optimum in therange of from 15° C. to 80° C. or 20° C. to 70° C., such as, forexample, approximately 45 to 60° C. or approximately 50 to 55° C.

The 7β-HSDH activity may be detected with the aid of various knowntests. Without being limited thereto, a test may be mentioned in which areference substrate, such as, for example, CA or DHCA, is used understandardized conditions as defined in the experimental part.

Tests for determining the FDH, GDH or 3α-HSDH activity are likewiseknown per se.

The expression “functional equivalents” is, according to the invention,in particular also to be understood as meaning “mutants” which, whilehaving an amino acid in at least one sequence position of theabovementioned amino acid sequences which is different to the amino acidwhich has been mentioned specifically, retain one of the abovementionedbiological activities. Therefore, “functional equivalents” comprise themutants obtainable by one or more, such as, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 amino acid additions,substitutions, deletions and/or inversions, it being possible for theabovementioned modifications to occur in any sequence position as longas they result in a mutant with the property profile according to theinvention. Functional equivalents exists in particular also when thereactivity patterns of the mutant and the unmodified polypeptide agreein qualitative terms, i.e., when, for example, the same substrates areconverted at different rates. Examples of suitable amino acidsubstitutions are compiled in the following table:

Oriqinal Examples of residue substitution Ala Ser Arg Lys Asn Gln; HisAsp Glu Cys Ser Gln Asn Glu Asp Gly Pro His Asn; Gln Ile Leu; Val LeuIle; Val Lys Arg; Gln; Glu Met Leu; Ile Phe Met; Leu; Tyr Ser Thr ThrSer Trp Tyr Tyr Trp; Phe Val Ile; Leu

In “functional equivalents” in the above sense are also “precursors” ofthe above-described polypeptides and “functional derivatives” and“salts” of the polypeptides.

In this context, “precursors” are natural or synthetic precursors of thepolypeptides with or without the desired biological activity.

The expression “salts” is understood as meaning not only salts ofcarboxyl groups, but also acid addition salts of amino groups of theprotein molecules according to the invention. Salts of carboxyl groupscan be prepared in a manner known per se and comprise inorganic saltssuch as, for example, sodium, calcium, ammonium, iron and zinc salts,and salts with organic bases such as, for example, amides, such astriethanolamine, arginine, lysine, piperidine and the like. Acidaddition salts such as, for example, salts with mineral acids, such ashydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and salts with organic acids, suchas acetic acid and oxalic acid, are likewise subject matter of theinvention.

In “functional derivatives” of polypeptides according to the inventioncan also be generated at functional amino acid side-groups or at theirN- or C-terminal end, using known techniques. Such derivatives comprise,for example, aliphatic esters of carboxyl groups, amides of carboxylgroups, obtainable by reaction with ammonia or with a primary orsecondary amine; N-acyl derivates of free amino groups, prepared byreaction with acyl groups; or O-acyl derivatives free hydroxyl groups,prepared by reaction with acyl groups.

Naturally, “functional equivalents” also comprise polypeptides which areavailable from other organisms, and naturally occurring variants. Forexample, sequence comparisons may be used to determine regions ofhomologous sequence regions, and equivalent enzymes can be establishedon the basis of the specific requirements of the invention.

“Functional equivalents” likewise comprise fragments, preferablyindividual domains or sequence motifs, of the polypeptides according tothe invention which have, for example, the desired biological function.

“Functional equivalents” are furthermore fusion proteins which have oneof the abovementioned polypeptide sequences or functional equivalentsderived therefrom and at least one other heterologous sequencefunctionally different therefrom in functional N- or C-terminal linkage(i.e. without significant mutual impairment of the functions of parts ofthe fusion proteins). Nonlimiting examples of such heterologoussequences are, for example, signal peptides, histidine anchors, such as,for example, a peptide comprising hexahistidine anchor such as, forexample, “LEHHHHHH” (e.g., amino acids 264-271 of SEQ ID NO: 3), orenzymes.

“Functional equivalents” include in accordance with the inventionhomologs of the specifically disclosed proteins. These have at least60%, preferably at least 75%, in particular at least 85%, such as, forexample, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99%, homology (oridentity) to one of the specifically disclosed amino acid sequences,calculated by the algorithm of Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad,Sci. (USA) 85(8), 1988, 2444-2448. A percentage homology or identity ofa homologous polypeptide according to the invention means in particularpercentage identity of the amino acid residues based on the total lengthof one of the amino acid sequences which are described specificallyherein.

The percentage identity data may also be determined by using BLASTalignments, the algorithm blastp (protein-protein BLAST), or byemploying the Clustal settings specified hereinbelow.

In the event of possible protein glycosylation, “functional equivalents”according to the invention encompass proteins of the above-specifiedtype in deglycosylated or glycosylated form, and modified formsobtainable by changing the glycosylation pattern.

Homologs of the proteins or polypeptides according to the invention canbe generated by mutagenesis, for example by point mutation, or byextension or truncation of the protein.

Homologs of the proteins according to the invention can be identified byscreening combinatorial libraries of mutants such as, for example,truncation mutants. For example, it is possible to generate a variegatedlibrary of protein variants by combinatorial mutagenesis at the nucleicacid level, such as, for example, by enzymatic ligation of a mixture ofsynthetic oligonucleotides. There exists a large number of processeswhich can be used to generate libraries of potential homologs from adegenerate oligonucleotide sequence. The chemical synthesis of adegenerate gene sequence may be carried out in an automatic DNAsynthesizer, and the synthetic gene may then be ligated to a suitableexpression vector. The use of a degenerate set of genes makes itpossible to provide, in one mixture, all sequences which code for thedesired set of potential protein sequences. Methods for synthesizingdegenerate oligonucleotides are known to the person skilled in the art(for example Narang, S. A. (1983) Tetrahedron 39:3; Itakura et al.(1984) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 53:323; Itakura et al., (1984) Science198:1056; Ike et al. (1983) Nucleic Acids Res. 11:477).

The prior art knows a variety of techniques for screening gene productsof combinatorial libraries which have been generated by point mutationsor truncation, and for screening cDNA libraries for gene products with aselected characteristic. These techniques can be adapted to the rapidscreening of the gene libraries which have been generated bycombinatorial mutagenesis of homologs according to the invention. Themost frequently used techniques for screening large gene librariesundergoing high-throughput analysis comprise the cloning of the genelibrary into replicable expression vectors, transforming suitable cellswith the resulting vector library and expressing the combinatorial genesunder conditions under which the detection of the desired activityfacilitates isolation of the vector which codes for the gene whoseproduct has been detected. Recursive ensemble mutagenesis (REM), atechnique which increases the frequency of functional mutants in thelibraries, can be used in combination with the screening tests in orderto identify homologs (Arkin and Yourvan (1992) PNAS 89:7811-7815;Delgrave et al. (1993) Protein Engineering 6(3):327-331).

The invention furthermore comprises the use of the 7β-HSDH wild typefrom Collinsella aerofaciens ATCC 25986 as is described in theapplicant's WO 2011/064404, which is herewith expressly referred to.

This 7β-HSDH, which is obtainable from Collinsella aerofaciens DSM 3979,is characterized in particular by at least one further of the followingproperties, such as, for example, by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 or all of suchproperties:

a) molecular weight (SDS gel electrophoresis): approximately 28-32 kDa,in particular approximately 29 to 31 kDa or approximately 30 kDa;

b) molecular weight (gel filtration under non-denaturing conditions,such as, in particular, without SDS): approximately 53 to 60 kDa, inparticular approximately 55 to 57 kDa, such as 56.1 kDa. This confirmsthe dimeric nature of the Collinsella aerofaciens DSM 3979 7β-HSDH;

c) stereoselective reduction of the 7-carbonyl group of 7-keto-LCA to a7β-hydroxy group;

d) pH optimum for the oxidation of UDCA in the range of from pH 8.5 to10.5, in particular 9 to 10;

e) pH optimum for the reduction of DHCA and 7-keto-LCA in the range offrom pH 3.5 to 6.5, in particular pH 4 to 6;

f) at least one kinetic parameter from the following table for at leastone of the substrates/cofactors mentioned therein; in the range of from±20%, in particular 10%, 5%, ±3%±2% or ±1% around the value mentioned ineach case specifically in the table which follows.

K_(M) V_(max) k_(cat) (μM) (U/mg Protein)^(b)) (1 μmol/(μmol × min))NADP⁺ 5.32 30.58 944.95 NADPH 4.50 33.44 1033.44 UDCA 6.23 38.17 1179.397-Keto-LCA 5.20 30.77 950.77 DHCA 9.23 28.33 875.35 NAD⁺ —^(a)) — TracesNADH —  — Traces ^(a))no determination possible owing to the very lowactivity ^(b))1 U = 1 μmol/min g) Phylogenetic sequence relationship ofthe prokaryotic Collinsella aerofaciens DSM 3979 7β-HSDH with the animal11β-HSDH subgroup, comprising Cavia porcellus, Homo sapiens and Musmusulus.

For example, this 7β-HSDH displays the following properties orcombinations of properties: a); b); a) and b); a) and/or b) and c); a)and/or b) and c) and d); a) and/or b) and c) and d) and e); a) and/or b)and c) and d) and e) and f).

Such a 7β-HSDH or functional equivalent derived therefrom is furthermorecharacterized by

-   a) the stereospecific reduction of a 7-ketosteroid to the    corresponding 7β-hydroxysteroid, and/or-   b) the regiospecific hydroxylation of a ketosteroid comprising a    keto group in the 7-position and at least one further keto group on    the steroid skeleton to give the corresponding 7β-hydroxysteroid,    such as, in particular, of dehydrocholic acid (DHCA) in the    7-position to give the corresponding 3,12-diketo-7β-cholanic acid,    and which is for example NADPH-dependent.

Such a 7β-HSDH has, in particular, an amino acid sequence as per SEQ IDNO:2 (Accession NO: ZP_01773061) or a sequence derived therefrom with adegree of identity of at least 60%, such as, for example, 65, 70, 75,80, 85 or 90, such as, for example, at least 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97,98, 99 or 99.5% to this sequence; optionally additionally characterizedby one of the following properties or combinations of properties; a);b); a) and b); a) and/or b) and c); a) and/or b) and c) and d); a)and/or b) and c) and d) and e); a) and/or b) and c) and d) and e) and f)as per the above definition.

3. Nucleic Acids and Constructs

3. 1 Nucleic Acids

Subject-matter of the invention is also nucleic acid sequences whichcode for an enzyme with 7β-HSDH, FDH, GDH and/or 3α-HSDH activity andtheir mutants.

The present invention also relates to nucleic acids with a certaindegree of identity to the specific sequences described herein.

The “identity” between two nucleic acids is understood as meaning theidentity of the nucleotides over in each case the entire length of thenucleic acid, in particular the identity which is calculated bycomparison with the aid of the Vector NTI Suite 7.1 software fromInformax (USA) by applying the Clustal method (Higgins D G, Sharp P M.Fast and sensitive multiple sequence alignments on a microcomputer.Comput Appl. Biosci. 1989 April; 5(2):151-1), with the followingparameter settings:

Multiple Alignment Parameters:

Gap opening penalty 10 Gap extension penalty 10 Gap separation penaltyrange 8 Gap separation penalty off % identity for alignment delay 40Residue specific gaps off Hydrophilic residue gap off Transitionweighing 0Pairwise Alignment Parameter:

FAST algorithm on K-tuple size 1 Gap penalty 3 Window size 5 Number ofbest diagonals 5

Alternatively, the identity may also be determined by the method ofChenna, Ramu, Sugawara, Hideaki, Koike, Tadashi, Lopez, Rodrigo, Gibson,Toby J, Higgins, Desmond G, Thompson, Julie D. Multiple sequencealignment with the Clustal series of programs. (2003) Nucleic Acids Res31 (13):3497-500, using the following parameters:

DNA Gap Open Penalty 15.0 DNA Gap Extension Penalty 6.66 DNA MatrixIdentity Protein Gap Open Penalty 10.0 Protein Gap Extension Penalty 0.2Protein matrix Gonnet Protein/DNA EN DGAP −1 Protein/DNA GAPDIST 4

All the nucleic acid sequences (single- and double-stranded DNA and RNAsequences such as, for example, cDNA and mRNA) mentioned herein can begenerated in a manner known per se by chemical synthesis starting fromthe nucleotide units such as, for example, by fragment condensation ofindividual overlapping, complementary nucleic acid units of the doublehelix. Oligonucleotides may be synthesized chemically for example in aknown manner, following the phosphoamidite method (Voet, Voet, 2^(nd)edition, Wiley Press New York, pages 896-897). The assembly of syntheticoligonucleotides and the filling-in of gaps with the aid of the DNApolymerase Klenow fragment and with the aid of ligation reactions andgeneral cloning methods are described by Sambrook et al. (1989),Molecular Cloning: A laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress.

Subject-matter of the invention is also nucleic acid sequences (single-and double-stranded DNA and RNA sequences, such as, for example, cDNAand mRNA) which code for any of the above polypeptides at theirfunctional equivalents which may be prepared for example usingartificial nucleotide analogs.

The invention relates both to isolated nucleic acid molecules which codefor polypeptides or proteins according to the invention or biologicallyactive sections thereof, and to nucleic acid fragments which may be usedfor example for use as hybridization probes or primers for identifyingor amplifying coding nucleic acids according to the invention.

The nucleic acid molecules according to the invention may additionallycomprise untranslated sequences from the 3′ and/or 5′ end of the codinggene region.

The invention furthermore comprises the nucleic acid molecules which arecomplementary to the specifically described nucleotide sequences or to asection thereof.

The nucleotide sequences according to the invention make possible thegeneration of probes and primers which may be used for identifyingand/or cloning homologous sequences in other cell types and otherorganisms. Such probes or primers usually comprise a nucleotide sequenceregion which, under “stringent” conditions (see hereinbelow), hybridizesto at least approximately 12, preferably at least approximately 25, suchas, for example, approximately 40, 50 or 75 consecutive nucleotides of asense strand of a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention or ofa corresponding antisense strand.

An “isolated” nucleic acid molecule is separated from other nucleic acidmolecules which are present in the natural source of the nucleic acidand may additionally be essentially free of other cellular material orculture medium if it is generated by recombinant techniques, or freefrom chemical precursors or other chemicals if it is synthesizedchemically.

A nucleic acid molecule according to the invention may be isolated bymeans of standard techniques of molecular biology and the sequenceinformation provided in accordance with the invention. For example, cDNAmay be isolated from a suitable cDNA library by using one of thespecifically disclosed complete sequences or a section thereof ashybridization probe and using standard hybridization techniques (asdescribed, for example, in Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T.Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2^(nd) Edition, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y., 1989). Moreover, a nucleic acid molecule comprising any ofthe disclosed sequences or a section thereof may be isolated bypolymerase chain reaction, using the oligonucleotide primers which havebeen constructed on the basis of this sequence. The nucleic acidamplified in this manner may be cloned into a suitable vector andcharacterized by DNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, theoligonucleotides according to the invention may be generated by standardsynthesis methods, for example using an automatic DNA synthesizer.

Nucleic acid sequences according to the invention or derivativesthereof, homologs or parts of these sequences may be isolated from otherbacteria for example using customary hybridization methods or the PCRtechnique, for example by way of genomic libraries or cDNA libraries.These DNA sequences hybridize with the sequences according to theinvention under standard conditions.

“Hybridizing” is understood as meaning the ability of a polynucleotideor oligonucleotide to bind, under standard conditions, to an almostcomplementary sequence, while unspecific bindings betweennon-complementary partners will not take place under these conditions.In this context, the sequences may be 90-100% complementary. Theproperty of complementary sequences of being able to specifically bindto each other is exploited for example in the Northern or Southern blottechnique or in the primer binding in PCR or RT-PCR.

For the hybridization, use is advantageously made of shortoligonucleotides of the conserved regions. However, it is also possibleto use longer fragments of the nucleic acids according to the invention,or the complete sequences, for the hybridization. Depending on thenucleic acid employed (oligonucleotide, longer fragment or completesequence) or depending on which nucleic acid type, DNA or RNA, is usedfor the hybridization, these standard conditions will vary. Thus, forexample, the melting temperatures for DNA:DNA hybrids are approximately10° C. lower than those of DNA:RNA hybrids of the same length.

Depending on the nucleic acid, standard conditions are understood asmeaning, for example, temperatures of between 42 and 58° C. in anaqueous buffer solution having a concentration of between 0.1 to 5×SSC(1×SSC=0.15 M NaCl, 15 mM sodium citrate, pH 7.2) or additionally in thepresence of 50% formamide, for example 42° C. in 5×SSC, 50% formamide.Advantageously, the hybridization conditions for DNA:DNA hybrids are0.1×SSC and temperatures between about 20° C. to 45° C., preferablybetween about 30° C. to 45° C. For DNA:RNA hybrids, the hybridizationconditions are advantageously 0.1×SSC and temperatures of between about30° C. to 55° C., preferably between about 45° C. to 55° C. Thesetemperatures stated for the hybridization are melting temperature valueswhich have been calculated by way of example for a nucleic acid having alength of approximately 100 nucleotides and a G+C content of 50% in theabsence of formamide. The experimental conditions for the DNAhybridization are described in specialist textbooks of genetics, suchas, for example, Sambrook et al., “Molecular Cloning”, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory, 1989, and may be calculated using formulae known tothe person skilled in the art, for example as a function of the lengthof the nucleic acids, the type of hybrids or the G+C content. The personskilled in the art may obtain further information with regard tohybridization from the following textbooks: Ausubel et al. (eds.), 1985,Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York;Hames and Higgins (eds.), 1985, Nucleic Acids Hybridization: A PracticalApproach, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford; Brown (ed.),1991, Essential Molecular Biology: A Practical Approach, IRL Press atOxford University Press, Oxford.

The “hybridization” may take place in particular under stringentconditions. Such hybridization conditions are described for example inSambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., Maniatis, T., in: Molecular Cloning (ALaboratory Manual), 2nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press,1989, pages 9.31-9.57 or in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, JohnWiley & Sons, N.Y. (1989), 6.3.1-6.3.6.

“Stringent” hybridization conditions are understood as meaning inparticular the following: incubation overnight at 42° C. in a solutioncomposed of 50% formamide, 5×SSC (750 mM NaCl, 75 mM trisodium citrate),50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5×Denhardt's solution, 10% dextransulfate and 20 g/ml denatured sheared salmon sperm DNA, followed by awash step of the filters with 0.1×SSC at 65° C.

Subject matter of the invention are also derivatives of the specificallydisclosed or derivable nucleic acid sequences.

Thus, further nucleic acid sequences according to the invention may bederived from, for example, SEQ ID NO:1, 7, or 9 (or from the nucleicacid sequences which code for the amino acid sequences 2 to 6, 8, 10 or11) and differ therefrom by addition, substitution, insertion ordeletion of individual or several nucleotides, but still code forpolypeptides with the desired property profile.

Also comprised by the invention are those nucleic acid sequences whichcomprise “silent” mutations or which are altered, as compared with aspecifically mentioned sequence, according to the codon usage of aspecific source organism or host organism, as are naturally occurringvariants thereof, such as, for example, splice variants or allelicvariants.

Another subject matter is sequences obtainable by way of conservativenucleotide substitutions (i.e., the amino acid in question is replacedwith an amino acid of the same charge, size, polarity and/orsolubility).

Subject matter of the invention is also the molecules which are derivedfrom the specifically disclosed nucleic acids by way of sequencepolymorphisms. These genetic polymorphisms may exist between individualswithin a population as a result of natural variation. These naturalvariations usually give rise to a variance of from 1 to 5% in thenucleotide sequence of a gene.

Derivatives of nucleic acid sequences according to the invention andwhich have the sequence SEQ ID NO:1, 7, or 9 (or of the nucleic acidsequences which code for the amino acid sequences 2 to 6, 8, 10 or 11)are understood as meaning, for example, allelic variants which, at thededuced amino acid level, have at least 60% homology, preferably atleast 80% homology, very especially preferably at least 90% homologyover the entire sequence region (in respect of homology at the aminoacid level, the reader may refer to the above comments regarding thepolypeptides). Advantageously, the homologies may be higher acrosssubregions of the sequences.

Furthermore, derivatives are also understood as meaning homologs of thenucleic acid sequences according to the invention, in particular of theSEQ ID NO:1, 7, or 9 (or of the nucleic acid sequences which code forthe amino acid sequences 2 to 6, 8, 10 or 11) for example fungal orbacterial homologs, truncated sequences, single-stranded DNA or RNA ofthe coding and noncoding DNA sequence. Thus, for example homologs to theSEQ ID NO:1, 7 or 9 (or of the nucleic acid sequences which code for theamino acid sequences 2 to 6, 8, 10 or 11) have a homology of at least40%, preferably of at least 60%, especially preferably of at least 70%,very especially preferably of at least 80% homology at the DNA levelover the entire DNA region of SEQ ID No:1, 7 or 9 (or of the nucleicacid sequences which code for the amino acid sequences 2 to 6, 8, 10 or11).

Furthermore, derivatives are understood as meaning for example fusionswith promoters. The promoters which are located upstream of thenucleotide sequences indicated may have been altered by at least onenucleotide substitution, at least one insertion, inversion and/ordeletion, without, however, the functionality and efficacy of thepromoters being adversely affected. Furthermore, the efficacy of thepromoters may be increased by altering their sequence, or the promotersmay be replaced entirely with more active promoters, including promotersfrom organisms of other species.

In addition, a person skilled in the art is familiar with processes forgenerating functional mutants.

Depending on the technique used, a person skilled in the art mayintroduce completely random or, also more specific mutations into genesor also non-coding nucleic acid regions (for example regions which areimportant for regulating expression) and subsequently generate genelibraries. The molecular-biological methods required for this purposeare known to a person skilled in the art and described, for example, inSambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning. 3^(rd) Edition, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory Press 2001.

Methods for modifying genes and thus for altering the protein coded bythem have been familiar to a person skilled in the art for a long time,such as, for example,

-   -   site-specific mutagenesis, where single or multiple nucleotides        of a gene are substituted specifically (Trower M K (Ed.) 1996;        In vitro mutagenesis protocols. Humana Press, New Jersey),    -   saturation mutagenesis, in which a codon for any desired amino        acid may be substituted or added at any desired position of a        gene (Kegler-Ebo D M, Docktor C M, DiMaio D (1994) Nucleic Acids        Res. 22:1593; Barettino D, Feigenbutz M, Valcerel R, Stunnenberg        H G (1994) Nucleic Acids Res 22:541; Barik S (1995) Mol.        Biotechnol. 3:1),    -   error-prone polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in which nucleotide        sequences are mutated by defectively operating DNA polymerases        (Eckert K A, Kunkel T A (1990) Nucleic Acids Res. 18:3739);    -   the passaging of genes in mutator strains in which for example        on account of deficient DNA re-pair mechanisms the mutation rate        of nucleotide sequences is increased (Greener A, Callahan M,        Jerpseth B (1996) An efficient random mutagenesis technique        using an E. coli mutator strain. In: Trower M K (Ed.) In vitro        mutagenesis protocols. Humana Press, New Jersey), or    -   DNA shuffling, in which a pool of closely related genes is        formed and digested, and the fragments are used as templates for        a polymerase chain reaction, in which full-length mosaic genes        are ultimately generated by repeated strand separation and        reannealing (Stemmer W P C (1994) Nature 370:389; Stemmer W P        C (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:10747).

Employing what is known as directed evolution (described, inter alia, inReetz M T and Jaeger K-E (1999), Topics Curr Chem 200:31; Zhao H, MooreJ C, Volkov A A, Arnold F H (1999), Methods for optimizing industrialenzymes by directed evolution, In: Demain A L, Davies J E (Ed.) Manualof industrial microbiology and biotechnology. American Society forMicrobiology), a person skilled in the art can also generate functionalmutants in a targeted manner, also on a large scale. Here, genelibraries of the respective proteins are generated in a first step, andthese gene libraries may be set up employing, for example, the methodsspecified hereinabove. The gene libraries are expressed in a suitablemanner, for example by bacteria or by phage display systems.

The relevant genes of host organisms which express functional mutantswith properties which correspond largely to the desired properties maybe subjected to a further mutation cycle. The steps of mutation and ofselection or of screening may be repeated iteratively until thefunctional mutants which are present show the desired properties to asufficient extent. A limited number of mutations such as, for example, 1to 5 mutations may be generated stepwise by this iterative approach, andtheir influence on the relevant enzyme property may be assessed andselected. The selected mutant may then be subjected in the same mannerto a further mutation step. This allows the number of individual mutantsto be studied to be reduced significantly.

The results according to the invention also provide importantinformation in respect of structure and sequence of the enzymes inquestion, which enzymes are required for generating, in a targetedfashion, further enzymes with desired modified properties. Inparticular, it is possible to define what are known as “hot spots”,i.e., sequence sections which are potentially suitable for modifying anenzyme property via the introduction of targeted mutations.

3.2 Constructs

Subject matter of the invention is furthermore expression constructs,comprising, under the genetic control of regulatory nucleic acidsequences, a nucleic acid sequence which encodes at least onepolypeptide according to the invention; and vectors comprising at leastone of these expression constructs.

An “expression unit” is understood as meaning, according to theinvention, a nucleic acid with expression activity, which comprises apromoter as defined herein and which, after functional linkage to anucleic acid to be expressed or to a gene, regulates the expression,that is to say the transcription and the translation, of said nucleicacid or said gene. This is why, in this context, an expression unit isalso referred to as a “regulatory nucleic acid sequence”. Furtherregulatory elements, such as, for example, enhancers, may be present inaddition to the promoter.

According to the invention, an “expression cassette” or “expressionconstruct” is understood as meaning an expression unit which isfunctionally linked to the nucleic acid to be expressed or the gene tobe expressed. In contrast to an expression unit, therefore, anexpression cassette not only comprises nucleic acid sequences whichregulate transcription and translation, but also the nucleic acidsequences which are to be expressed as protein as a consequence of thetranscription and translation.

In the context of the invention, the terms “expression” or“overexpression” describe the production or increase of theintracellular activity of one or more enzymes in a microorganism, whichenzymes are coded by the corresponding DNA. To this end, for example, agene may be introduced into an organism, an existing gene may bereplaced by a different gene, the copy number of the gene(s) may beincreased, a strong promoter may be used, or a gene may be used whichencodes a corresponding enzyme with a high activity, and, optionally,these measures can be combined.

Preferably, such constructs according to the invention comprise apromoter upstream, i.e., at the 5′ end of the particular codingsequence, and a terminator sequence downstream, i.e., at the 3′ end,and, optionally, further customary regulatory elements, in each caseoperably linked to the coding sequence.

A “promoter”, a “nucleic acid with promoter activity” or a “promotersequence” is understood as meaning in accordance with the invention anucleic acid which, in functional linkage to a nucleic acid to betranscribed, regulates the transcription of said nucleic acid.

In this context, a “functional” or “operable” linkage is understood asmeaning, for example, the sequential arrangement of one of the nucleicacids with promoter activity and a nucleic acid sequence to betranscribed and, optionally, further regulatory elements such as, forexample, nucleic acid sequences which ensure the transcription ofnucleic acids, and, for example, a terminator in such a way that each ofthe regulatory elements is able to carry out its function as intended inthe transcription of the nucleic acid sequence. A direct linkage in thechemical sense is not mandatory in this context. Genetic controlsequences, such as, for example, enhancer sequences, may also exerttheir function on the target sequence from positions which are furtherremoved, or even from different DNA molecules. Preferred arrangementsare those in which the nucleic acid sequence to be transcribed ispositioned after the promoter sequence (i.e., at its 3′ end) so that thetwo sequences are covalently linked to each other. In this context, thedistance between the promoter sequence and the nucleic acid sequence tobe expressed recombinantly may be less than 200 base pairs or less than100 base pairs or less than 50 base pairs.

Examples of further regulatory elements which may be mentioned besidespromoters and terminator are targeting sequences, enhancers,polyadenylation signals, selectable markers, amplification signals,replication origins and the like. Suitable regulatory sequences aredescribed, for example, in Goeddel, Gene Expression Technology: Methodsin Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990).

Nucleic acid constructs according to the invention comprise inparticular a sequence SEQ ID NO:1, 7, or 9 (or of the nucleic acidsequences which code for the amino acid sequences 2 to 6, 8, 10 or 11)or derivatives and homologs thereof, and the nucleic acid sequenceswhich can be derived therefrom and which have been operably orfunctionally linked to one or more regulatory signals, advantageouslyfor controlling, for example increasing, gene expression.

In addition to these regulatory sequences, the natural regulation ofthese sequences may still be present upstream of the actual structuralgenes and may optionally have been genetically altered in such a waythat the natural regulation has been switched off and the expression ofthe genes has been increased. However, the nucleic acid construct mayalso have a simpler design, i.e., no additional regulatory signals havebeen inserted upstream of the coding sequence, and the natural promoter,together with its regulation, has not been removed. Instead, the naturalregulatory sequence is mutated in such a way that regulation no longertakes place, and gene expression is increased.

A preferred nucleic acid construct advantageously also comprises one ormore of the previously mentioned “enhancer” sequences which arefunctionally linked to the promoter and which enable expression of thenucleic acid sequence to be increased. Additional advantageoussequences, such as further regulatory elements or terminators, may alsobe inserted at the 3′ end of the DNA sequences. The nucleic acidsaccording to the invention may be present in the construct in one ormore copies. The construct may additionally comprise further markerssuch as antibiotic resistances or auxotrophy-complementing genes,optionally for the purpose of selecting the construct.

Examples of suitable regulatory sequences are present in promoters suchas cos, tac, trp, tet, trp-tet, lpp, lac, lpp-lac, lacl^(q) T7, T5, T3,gal, trc, ara, rhaP (rhaP_(BAD))SP6, lambda-P_(R) or in the lambda-P_(L)promotors which are advantageously used in Gram-negative bacteria. Otheradvantageous regulatory sequences are present for example in theGram-positive promoters amy and SPO2, in the yeast or fungal promotersADC1, MFalpha, AC, P-60, CYC1, GAPDH, TEF, rp28, ADH. Artificialpromoters may also be used for regulation purposes.

For the purposes of expression in a host organism, the nucleic acidconstruct is advantageously inserted into a vector such as, for example,a plasmid or a phage, which enables the genes to be expressed optimallyin the host. Vectors, in addition to plasmids and phages, are alsounderstood as meaning all the other vectors known to a person skilled inthe art, i.e., for example viruses such as SV40, CMV, baculovirus andadenovirus, transposons, IS elements, phasmids, cosmids and linear orcircular DNA. These vectors may be replicated autonomously in the hostorganism or replicated chromosomally. These vectors constitute a furtherdevelopment of the invention.

Examples of suitable plasmids are, for example, in E. coli pLG338,pACYC184, pBR322, pUC18, pUC19, pKC30, pRep4, pHS1, pKK223-3, pDHE19.2,pHS2, pPLc236, pMBL24, pLG200, pUR290, pIN-III¹¹³-B1, λgt11 or pBdCI, inStreptomyces pIJ101, pIJ364, pIJ702 or pIJ361, in Bacillus pUB110, pC194or pBD214, in Corynebacterium pSA77 or pAJ667, in fungi pALS1, pIL2 orpBB116, in yeasts 2alphaM, pAG-1, YEp6, YEp13 or pEMBLYe23 or in plantspLGV23, pGHlac⁺, pBIN19, pAK2004 or pDH51. The plasmids mentioned are asmall selection of the possible plasmids. Other plasmids are well knownto a person skilled in the art and can be found, for example, in thebook Cloning Vectors (Eds. Pouwels P. H. et al. Elsevier, Amsterdam-NewYork-Oxford, 1985, ISBN 0 444 904018).

In a further embodiment of the vector, the vector comprising the nucleicacid construct according to the invention or the nucleic acid accordingto the invention may also advantageously be introduced into themicroorganisms in the form of a linear DNA and integrated into thegenome of the host organism via heterologous or homologousrecombination. This linear DNA may consist of a linearized vector, suchas a plasmid, or only of the nucleic acid construct or of the nucleicacid according to the invention.

In order to express heterologous genes optimally in organisms, it isadvantageous to alter the nucleic acid sequences in accordance with thespecific “codon usage” employed in the organism. The “codon usage” canbe determined readily with the aid of computer analyses of other knowngenes of the organism in question.

An expression cassette according to the invention is generated by fusinga suitable promoter to a suitable coding nucleotide sequence and to aterminator signal or polyadenylation signal. Common recombination andcloning techniques are used for this purpose, as are described, forexample, in T. Maniatis, E. F. Fritsch and J. Sambrook, MolecularCloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y. (1989) and in T. J. Silhavy, M. L. Berman and L. W.Enquist, Experiments with Gene Fusions, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory,Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1984) and in Ausubel, F. M. et al., CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Assoc. and WileyInterscience (1987).

For expression purposes in a suitable host organism, the recombinantnucleic acid construct or gene construct is advantageously inserted intoa host-specific vector which enables the genes to be expressed optimallyin the host. Vectors are well known to a person skilled in the art andcan be found for example in “Cloning Vectors” (Pouwels P. H. et al.,Eds., Elsevier, Amsterdam-New York-Oxford, 1985).

4 Microorganisms

Depending on the context, the term “microorganism” may be understood asmeaning the starting (wild-type) microorganism or a genetically modifiedrecombinant microorganism, or both.

It is possible to prepare, with the aid of the vectors according to theinvention, recombinant microorganisms which are transformed for examplewith at least one vector according to the invention and which may beused for producing the polypeptides according to the invention.Advantageously, the above-described recombinant constructs according tothe invention are introduced into a suitable host system and expressedtherein. In this connection, familiar cloning and transfection methodswith which a person skilled in the art is familiar, such as, forexample, coprecipitation, protoplast fusion, electroporation, retroviraltransfection and the like, are preferably used in order to cause saidnucleic acids to be expressed in the particular expression system.Suitable systems are described, for example, in Current Protocols inMolecular Biology, F. Ausubel et al., Eds., Wiley Interscience, New York1997, or Sambrook et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2^(nd)edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989. An overview of bacterialexpression systems for the heterologous expression of proteins is alsoprovided, for example, by Terpe, K. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. (2006)72: 211-222.

Recombinant host organisms for the nucleic acid according to theinvention or the nucleic acid construct are, in principle, allprokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms. It is advantageous to employ, ashost organisms, microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or yeasts. It isadvantageous to employ Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria,preferably bacteria of the families Enterobac-teriaceae,Pseudomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Streptomycetaceae or Nocardiaceae,especially preferably bacteria of the genera Escherichia, Pseudomonas,Streptomyces, Nocardia, Burkholderia, Salmonella, Agrobacterium,Clostridium or Rhodococcus. Very especially preferred is the genus andspecies Escherichia coli. Further advantageous bacteria can furthermorebe found in the group of alpha-proteobacteria, beta-proteobacteria orgamma-proteobacteria.

In this context, the host organism(s) according to the inventionpreferably comprise(s) at least one of the nucleic acid sequences,nucleic acid constructs or vectors which are described in this inventionand which encode an enzyme with 7β-HSDH activity as defined hereinabove.

Depending on the host organism, the organisms used in the processaccording to the invention are grown, or cultured, in a manner known toa person skilled in the art. As a rule, microorganisms are grown in aliquid medium comprising a carbon source, usually in the form of sugars,a nitrogen source, usually in the form of organic nitrogen sources suchas yeast extract or salts such as ammonium sulfate, trace elements suchas salts of iron, manganese and magnesium and optionally vitamins attemperatures of between 0° C. and 100° C., preferably between 10° C. to60° C., while passing in oxygen. The pH of the liquid medium can eitherbe kept constant, that is to say regulated during the culturing, or not.The culturing may take place batchwise, semibatchwise or continuously.Nutrients may be provided at the beginning of the fermentation or fed insemicontinuously or continuously.

5. Production of UDCA

Step 1: Chemical Conversion of CA into DHCA

The hydroxyl groups of CA are oxidized to carbonyl groups in a mannerknown per se via the traditional chemical route, using chromic acids orchromates in acidic solution (for example H₂SO₄). This gives rise toDHCA.

Step 2: Enzymatic or Microbial Conversion of DHCA into 12-Keto-UDCA

DHCA is reduced specifically in aqueous solution by 3α-HSDH and 7β-HSDHor mutants thereof in the presence of NADPH or NADH to give12-keto-UDCA. The cofactor NADPH or NADH can be regenerated by an ADH orFDH or GDH or mutants thereof from isopropanol or sodium formate orglucose, respectively. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions. Forexample, the reaction may be carried out at pH=6 to 9, in particularapproximately pH=8 and at approximately 10 to 30, 15 to 25 orapproximately 23° C.

In the event of a microbial conversion step, recombinant microorganismswhich express the enzyme activity/activities required may be culturedanaerobically or aerobically in suitable liquid media in the presence ofthe substrate to be converted (DHCA). Suitable culturing conditions areknown per se to a person skilled in the art. They comprise conversionsin the pH range of, for example, 5 to 10 or 6 to 9, at temperatures inthe range of from 10 to 60 or 15 to 45 or 25 to 40 or 37° C. Suitablemedia comprise for example the LB and TB media described hereinbelow. Inthis context, the conversion time may for example be carried outbatchwise or continuously or in any other customary process variant (asdescribed hereinabove). The conversion time may, in this context, be forexample in the range of from minutes to several hours or days and mayamount to, for example, 1 h to 48 h. Optionally, if enzymatic activityis not expressed continuously, the latter may be initiated by adding asuitable inductor after a target cell density of, for example,approximately OD₆₀₀=0.5 to 1.0 has been reached.

As regards the operation of the fermentation, additions to the medium,enzyme immobilization and isolation of the substances of value, furthersuitable modifications of the microbial production process which arepossible can also be found in the following section regarding“production of the enzymes or mutants”.

Step 3: Chemical Conversion of 12-Keto-UDCA to UDCA

The 12-carbonyl group of 12-keto-UDCA is removed in a manner known perse by means of Wolff-Kischner reduction, whereby UDCA is generated from12-keto-UDCA. In the reaction, the carbonyl is first reacted withhydrazine to give the hydrazone. Thereafter, the hydrazone is heated to200° C. in the presence of a base (for example KOH); during thisprocess, nitrogen is eliminated, giving rise to UDCA.

6. Recombinant Production of the Enzymes and Mutants

Subject matter of the invention is furthermore processes for therecombinant production of polypeptides according to the invention orfunctional biologically active fragments thereof, wherein apolypeptide-producing microorganism is cultured, the expression of thepolypeptides is optionally induced and the polypeptides are isolatedfrom the culture. If desired, the polypeptides may, in this manner, alsobe produced on an industrial scale.

The microorganisms which have been produced in accordance with theinvention can be grown continuously or discontinuously by the batchmethod, the fed-batch method or the repeated fed-batch method. Anoverview of known culture methods can be found in the textbook by Chmiel(Bioprozeßtechnik 1. Einführung in die Bioverfahrenstechnik [BioprocessEngineering 1. Introduction to Bioprocess Technology] (Gustav FischerVerlag, Stuttgart, 1991)) or in the textbook by Storhas (Bioreaktorenand periphere Einrichtungen [Bioreactors and Peripheral Units](ViewegVerlag, Brunswick/Wiesbaden, 1994)).

The culture medium to be used must suitably meet the needs of thestrains in question. Descriptions of culture media for a variety ofmicroorganisms are found in the manual “Manual of Methods for GeneralBacteriology” of the American Society for Bacteriology (Washington D.C., USA, 1981).

These media which can be employed in accordance with the inventionusually encompass one or more carbon sources, nitrogen sources,inorganic salts, vitamins and/or trace elements.

Preferred carbon sources are sugars such as mono-, di- orpolysaccharides. Examples of very good carbon sources are glucose,fructose, mannose, galactose, ribose, sorbose, ribulose, lactose,maltose, sucrose, raffinose, starch or cellulose. Sugars may also beadded to the media via complex compounds, such as molasses, or otherby-products of sugar refining. It may also be advantageous to addmixtures of various carbon sources. Other possible carbon sources areoils and fats such as, for example, soya oil, sunflower oil, peanut oiland coconut fat, fatty acids such as, for example, palmitic acid,stearic acid or linoleic acid, alcohols such as, for example, glycerol,methanol or ethanol, and organic acids such as, for example, acetic acidor lactic acid.

Nitrogen sources are usually organic or inorganic nitrogen compounds ormaterials comprising these compounds. Examples of nitrogen sourcesencompass ammonia gas or ammonium salts such as ammonium sulfate,ammonium chloride, ammonium phosphate, ammonium carbonate or ammoniumnitrate, nitrates, urea, amino acids or complex nitrogen sources such ascorn steep liquor, soya meal, soya protein, yeast extract, meat extractand others. The nitrogen sources can be used individually or as amixture.

Inorganic salt compounds which may be present in the media encompass thechloride, phosphorus or sulfate salts of calcium, magnesium, sodium,cobalt, molybdenum, potassium, manganese, zinc, copper and iron.

Inorganic sulfur-containing compounds such as, for example, sulfates,sulfites, dithionites, tetrathionates, thiosulfates, sulfides, but alsoorganic sulfur compounds, such as mercaptans and thiols, may be used asthe sulfur source.

Phosphoric acid, potassium dihydrogenphosphate or dipotassiumhydrogenphosphate or the corresponding sodium-containing salts may beused as phosphorus source.

Sequestrants may be added to the medium in order to maintain the metalions in solution. Particularly suitable sequestrants encompassdihydroxyphenols, such as catechol or protocatechuate, or organic acidssuch as citric acid.

Usually, the fermentation media employed in accordance with theinvention also comprise other growth factors such as vitamins or growthpromoters, which include, for example, biotin, riboflavin, thiamine,folic acid, nicotinic acid, panthothenate and pyridoxine. Growth factorsand salts are frequently obtained from complex media components such asyeast extract, molasses, corn steep liquor and the like. Moreover,suitable precursors may be added to the culture medium. The exactcomposition of the compounds in the media depends greatly on theexperiment in question and is decided individually for each individualcase. Information on the optimization of media can be found in thetextbook “Applied Microbiol. Physiology, A Practical Approach” (Eds P.M. Rhodes, P. F. Stanbury, IRL Press (1997) pp. 53-73, ISBN 0 19 9635773). Growth media can also be obtained from commercial sources, such asStandard 1 (Merck) or BHI (brain heart infusion, DIFCO) and the like.

All of the media components are sterilized, either by means of heat (20minutes at 1.5 bar and 121° C.) or by filter sterilization. Thecomponents may be sterilized either together or, if necessary,separately. All of the media components may be present at the beginningof the culturing or else be added continuously or batchwise, as desired.

The culture temperature is normally between 15° C. and 45° C.,preferably 25° C. to 40° C., and can be kept constant during theexperiment or else be varied. The pH of the medium should be in therange of from 5 to 8.5, preferably around 7.0. The pH for the culturingcan be controlled during culturing by addition of basic compounds suchas sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia or ammonia water, oracidic compounds such as phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid. Antifoamagents such as, for example, fatty acid polyglycol esters may beemployed to control foam development. To maintain plasmid stability,suitable selectively acting substances such as, for example, antibioticsmay be added to the medium. To maintain aerobic conditions, oxygen oroxygen-containing gas mixtures, for example ambient air, are passed intothe culture. The culture temperature is normally 20° C. to 45° C. and.The culture is continued until a maximum of the desired product hasformed. This aim is normally achieved within 10 hours to 160 hours.

Thereafter, the fermentation broth is processed further. Depending onwhat is required, all or some of the biomass may be removed from thefermentation broth by separation methods such as, for example,centrifugation, filtration, decanting or a combination of these methods,or else be left completely in said broth.

If the polypeptides are not secreted into the culture medium, the cellsmay also be disrupted and the product may be obtained from the lysate byknown protein isolation methods. The cells can optionally be disruptedby high-frequency ultrasound, by high pressure such as, for example, ina French pressure cell, by osmolysis, by the action of detergents, lyticenzymes or organic solvents, by homogenizers or by a combination ofseveral of the abovementioned methods.

The polypeptides may be purified using known chromatographic techniques,such as molecular sieve chromatography (gel filtration), such asQ-Sepharose chromatography, ion exchange chromatography and hydrophobicchromatography, and also using other common methods such asultrafiltration, crystallization, salting out, dialysis and native gelelectrophoresis. Suitable methods are described for example in Cooper,F. G., Biochemische Arbeitsmethoden [Biochemical working methods],Verlag Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, N.Y. or in Scopes, R., ProteinPurification, Springer Verlag, New York, Heidelberg, Berlin.

To isolate the recombinant protein, it may be advantageous to use vectorsystems or oligonucleotides which extend the cDNA by specific nucleotidesequences and thus encode modified polypeptides or fusion proteins whichserve, for example, the purpose of simpler purification. Suchmodifications which are suitable are, for example, what are known as“tags”, which act as anchors, such as, for example, the modificationknown as hexa-histidine anchor or epitopes capable of being recognizedby antibodies as being antigens (described, for example, in Harlow, E.and Lane, D., 1988, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor(N.Y.) Press). These anchors may serve to attach the proteins to a solidsupport, such as, for example, a polymer matrix which may be packedinto, for example, a chromatography column, or for attaching theproteins to a microtiter plate or any other support.

At the same time, these anchors can also be used for the identificationof the proteins. For identifying the proteins, customary markers, suchas fluorescent dyes, enzyme markers that, after reaction with asubstrate, form a detectable reaction product, or radioactive markers,can moreover be used alone or in combination with the anchors forderivatization of the proteins.

7. Enzyme Immobilization

In the methods described herein, the enzymes according to the inventionmay be employed in free or immobilized form. An immobilized enzyme isunderstood as meaning an enzyme which is fixed to an inert support.Suitable support materials, and the enzymes immobilized thereon, areknown from EP-A-1149849, EP-A-1 069 183 and DE-OS 100193773 and from theliterature cited therein. In this respect, the disclosure of saiddocuments is referred to in its entirety. The suitable support materialsinclude, for example, clays, clay minerals such as kaolinite,diatomaceous earth, perlite, silica, alumina, sodium carbonate, calciumcarbonate, cellulose powder, anion exchange materials, syntheticpolymers such as polystyrene, acrylic resins, phenol-formaldehyderesins, polyurethanes and polyolefins such as polyethylene andpolypropylene. The support materials are conventionally employed in afinely divided, particulate form for the preparation of the supportedenzymes, with porous forms being preferred. The particle size of thesupport material is conventionally not more than 5 mm, in particular notmore than 2 mm (grading curve). Analogously, on use of the dehydrogenaseas a whole-cell catalyst, a free or an immobilized form may be chosen.Support materials are, for example, calcium alginate and carrageenan.Enzymes as well as cells may also be crosslinked directly usingglutaraldehyde (crosslinking to CLEAs). Corresponding and furtherimmobilization processes are described, for example, in J. Lalonde andA. Margolin “Immobilization of Enzymes” in K. Drauz and H. Waldmann,Enzyme Catalysis in Organic Synthesis 2002, Vol. III, 991-1032,Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.

Experimental Part:

Unless otherwise specified, the cloning steps carried out within thescope of the present invention, such as, for example, restrictioncleavages, agarose gel electrophoresis, the purification of DNAfragments, the transfer of nucleic acids to nitrocellulose and nylonmembranes, the linking of DNA fragments, the transformation ofmicroorganisms, the culturing of microorganisms, the multiplication ofphages and the sequence analysis of recombinant DNA may be carried outas described by Sambrook et al. (1989) loc. cit.

A. General Information

Materials:

The genomic DNA of Collinsella aerofaciens DSM 3979 (ATCC 25986,formerly referred to as Eubacterium aerofaciens) was obtained from theDeutsche Sammlung für Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ). DHCA,UDCA and 7-keto-LCA are starting compounds which are known per se anddescribed in the literature. All the other chemicals were obtained fromSigma-Aldrich and Fluka (Germany). All restriction endonucleases, T4 DNAligase, Taq DNA polymerase, Plusion DNA polymerase and isopropylβ-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) were obtained from Thermo Scientific(Germany).

Media:

LB medium, comprising tryptone 10 g, yeast extract 5 g, NaCl 10 g perliter of medium

AI medium (Auto-Induction Medium), comprising yeast extract 24 g, caseinhydrolysate 12 g, glycerol 5 g, glucose 50 g, lactose 20 g in 100 mM KPipH 7.0 per liter of medium.

Sequences:

FIG. 2 shows the amino acid sequences of the wild-type 7β-HSDH enzymeand of mutants; however, all are in each case provided in a C-terminalhexa-histidine tag. In this manner, all the enzymes have been isolatedand characterized.

Example 1: Production of the Recombinant 7β-HSDH

A) Plasmid Transformation:

The commercially available expression vector pET28a(+), into which therespective 7β-HSDH gene has been cloned via the cleavage sites of therestriction enzymes NcoI and XhoI, was used for the expression of therecombinant 7β-HSDH enzymes (wild-type and mutant enzymes). Theexpression vector pET28a(+) makes it possible, when cloning the HSDHgene, to directly attach a gene sequence to the HSDH gene, whichsequence codes for a succession of 6 histidine molecules. Following theexpression, this sequence (referred to as hexahistidine tag or His-tag)appears C-terminally on the HSDH protein. The original, or wild-type,HSDH gene originates from the bacterium Collinsella aerofaciens ATCC25986, and the plasmid which comprises the respective 7β-HSDH gene isreferred to as pET28a(+)_7β-HSDH. To transform the pET28a(+)_7β-HSDHplasmid, 5 μl of ligation mixture was treated with 100 μl of competentBL21(DE3)Δ7α-HSDH E. coli cells, and the transformation was carried outas described by Hanahan (J. Mol. Biol. (1983), vol. 166, pp. 557), thesame steps being carried out with the plasmid which comprises thewild-type gene and with the plasmid that comprises mutated HSDH genes.E. coli strain BL21(DE3)Δ7α-HSDH, which has been used regularly in thiscontext, is distinguished in that the gene for the 7α-HSDH has beendeleted in this strain. The precise characterization of the E. colistrains used for this work is compiled in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Escherichia coli strains used Strain Genotype Escherichia coliDH5α F− endA1 glnV44 thi-1 recA1 relA1 gyrA96 deoR nupG Φ80dlacZΔM15Δ(lacZYA- argF)U169, hsdR17(rK − mK+), λ− Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)Δ7α-HSDH F-ompT gal dcm Ion hsdSB(rB-mB-) λ(DE3 (= E. coli with deleted7α-HSDH) [lacl lacUV5-T7 gene 1 ind1 sam7 nin5]) hshA− KanR +B) Expression and Cell Propagation:

For expression, the E. coli strain which comprises the expressionconstruct (pET28a(+)_7β-HSDH plasmid) was multiplied for 20 hours in LBmedium (trypton 10 g, yeast extract 5 g, NaCl 10 g per liter) at 25° C.,the medium comprising 50 μg/ml kanamycine. The cells were harvested bycentrifugation (5000×g, 30 min, 4° C.).

C) Obtaining the Crude Extract:

The pellet was resuspended in disruption buffer (10 mM imidazole, 50 mMsodium phosphate, 300 mM NaCl, pH 8), with 4 ml of buffer being addedper 1 g of cells (moist mass). The cells were then disrupted bysonication for one minute (30 W power, 50% working interval and 1 minbreak), with constant cooling, using a Sonopuls HD2070 sonicator(Bandelin, Berlin, Germany). The disruption was repeated three times.The cell suspension was centrifuged (18 000×g, 30 min, 4° C.), with thesupernatant being referred to as cell-free crude extract.

D) Purification of the Enzyme:

The His-tag allows for very simple purification of the HSDH proteinsince this sequence is bound with high specificity by specificchromatographic material (NTA (Ni-nitrilotriacetate)-modified supportmaterial, loaded with divalent nickel ions, for example “His Pur Ni-NTA”(Nimagen B. V., Nijmegen, The Netherlands)). To this end, the cell-freecrude extract is applied to a dropping column comprising this material,which dropping column has previously been equilibrated with thedisruption buffer (3 to 5 column volumes). Weakly binding protein wasremoved by washing with 3 to 5 column volumes of wash buffer (20 mMimidazole, 50 mM sodium phosphate, 300 mM NaCl, pH 8). TheHis-tag-7β-HSDH protein was eluted with imidazole-comprising elutionbuffer (250 mM imidazole, 50 mM sodium phosphate, 300 mM NaCl, pH 8).The process was carried out at room temperature. The imidazole which waspresent was to be removed by buffer exchange.

The protein concentration was determined by the method described byBradford (mix 100 μl sample with 900 μl of Bradford reagent, incubatefor at least 15 min in the dark, then determination at 595 nm against acalibration column established with bovine serum albumin). To perform anSDS-PAGE (SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) analysis, the gel wasstained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue.

E) Activity Determination:

The activity of the 7β-HSDH and of the mutants was determined using aphotometric assay, where the decrease in absorbance was measured at 340nm over a period of 30 seconds. In a total volume of 1 ml, the reactionsolution comprised: 874 μl 50 mM potassium phosphate (KPi) buffer, pH8.0; 100 μl 100 mM of a DHCA solution (DHCA dissolved in 50 mM KPi, pH8); 10 μl of the enzyme solution (optionally diluted); 16 μl of a 12.5mM NADPH solution (dissolved in dist. H₂O). In what follows, theactivity is specified in units (U), with 1 U corresponding to thedecrease of 1 μMol NADPH/min.

Example 2: Generation of 7β-HSDH Mutants in Amino Acid Position 64, andtheir Characterization

A) Primer:

The mutagenesis primers specified hereinbelow were used for carrying outthe position-directed mutagenesis of the 7β-HSDH (see Table 2). Based onthe 7β-HSDH gene sequence, the primers were selected such that theybring about the desired amino acid exchange. The following primer pairswere used for generating the mutants:

TABLE 2 primers for the position-directed mutagenesis of the 7β-HSDH at position 64 SEQ ID Name Exchange Primer NO:5′ → 3′ Sequence R64E_for R64E forward 12 ACCAAGGTCGTGGAGGCCGACT TTAGCR64E_rev reverse 13 GCTAAAGTCGGCCTCCACGACC TTGGT R64D_for R64D forward14 ACCAAGGTCGTGGACGCCGACT TTAGC R64D_rev reverse 15GCTAAAGTCGGCGTCCACGACC TTGGT R64T_for R64T forward 16ACCAAGGTCGTGACGGCCGACT TTAGC R64T_rev reverse 17 GCTAAAGTCGGCCGTCACGACCTTGGT R64W_for R64W forward 18 ACCAAGGTCGTGTGGGCCGACT TTAGC R64W_revreverse 19 GCTAAAGTCGGCCCACACGACC TTGGT R64Y_for R64Y forward 20ACCAAGGTCGTGTACGCCGACT TTAGC R64Y_rev reverse 21 GCTAAAGTCGGCGTACACGACCTTGGT R64F_for R64F forward 22 ACCAAGGTCGTGTTCGCCGACT TTAGC R64F_revreverse 23 GCTAAAGTCGGCGAACACGACC TTGGT R64C_for R64C forward 24ACCAAGGTCGTGTGCGCCGACT TTAGC R64C_rev reverse 25 GCTAAAGTCGGCGCACACGACCTTGGT R64N_for R64N forward 26 ACCAAGGTCGTGAACGCCGACT TTAGC R64N_revreverse 27 GCTAAAGTCGGCGTTCACGACC TTGGT R64Q_for R64Q forward 28ACCAAGGTCGTGCAGGCCGACT TTAGC R64Q_rev reverse 29 GCTAAAGTCGGCCTGCACGACCTTGGT R64H_for R64H forward 30 ACCAAGGTCGTGCACGCCGACT TTAGC R64H_revreverse 31 GCTAAAGTCGGCGTGCACGACC TTGGT R64K_for R64K forward 32ACCAAGGTCGTGAAGGCCGACT AGTTC R64K_rev reverse 33 GCTAAAGTCGGCCTTCACGACCTTGGT R64I_for R64I forward 34 ACCAAGGTCGTGATCGCCGACT TTAGC R64I_revreverse 35 GCTAAAGTCGGCGATCACGACC TTGGT R64G_for R64G forward 36ACCAAGGTCGTGGGCGCCGACT TTAGC R64G_rev reverse 37 GCTAAAGTCGGCGCCCACGACCTTGGT R64A_for R64A forward 38 ACCAAGGTCGTGGCCGCCGACT TTAGC R64A_revreverse 39 GCTAAAGTCGGCGGCCACGACC TTGGT R64V_for R64V forward 40ACCAAGGTCGTGGTCGCCGACT TTAGC R64V_rev reverse 41 GCTAAAGTCGGCGACCACGACCTTGGT R64L_for R64L forward 42 ACCAAGGTCGTGCTCGCCGACT TTAGC R64L_revreverse 43 GCTAAAGTCGGCGAGCACGACC TTGGT R64S_for R64S forward 44ACCAAGGTCGTGAGCGCCGACT TTAGC R64S_rev reverse 45 GCTAAAGTCGGCGCTCACGACCTTGGTB) QuikChange®-PCR:

After a first mutant in which the amino acid arginine in position 64 hadbeen replaced by aspartic acid demonstrated a markedly higher activitythan the wild-type enzyme, it was intended to incorporate furtherproteinogenic amino acids at that position and to test these variousmutants in respect of their activity. A targeted exchange of an aminoacid may be achieved with the “QuikChange®-PR” method. To this end, thefollowing PCR reaction was carried out (reaction mixture see Table 3):first, an initial denaturation step for 2 min at 95° C. was carried out,thereafter, 20 cycles of denaturation (30 sat 95° C.), primerhydridization (1 min at 60-68° C.) and elongation (13 min at 68° C.) wascarried out. The last step that was carried out was a final elongationof 10 min at 68° C., whereafter the polymerase chain reaction was endedby cooling to 4° C. The template used was a pET28a vector with the geneof the 7β-HSDH (wild type).

TABLE 3 PCR mixture for the generation of the various 713-HSDH variantsPCR Reaction mixture   buffer (10x)  5.0 μl   dNTP mix (10 mM)  1.5 μlForward primer (10 pmol/μl)  5.0 μl  Reverse primer (10 pmol/μl)  5.0 μlTemplate  1.0 μl Pfu polymerase  0.5 μl DMSO  2.0 μl ddH₂O 30.0 μl 50.0μl

In order to be able to exchange amino acids in protein sequences in atargeted fashion, the DNA sequence of the gene in question is subjectedto position-directed mutation. To this end, one makes use of primerswhich are complementary to each other and which contain the desiredmutation in their sequence. The template used is N6-adenine-methylateddouble-stranded plasmid DNA which contains the gene to be mutated.N6-adenine methylated plasmid DNA are isolated from a dam+ E. colistrain such as, for example E. coli DH5α.

The polymerase chain reaction is carried out as described hereinabove.Here, the primers are extended to complement the template, giving riseto plasmids which have the desired mutation and which have a strandbreak. In contrast to other PCR reactions, the increase in the DNA yieldis only linear here since newly-formed DNA molecules cannot act astemplate for the PCR reaction.

After the PCR reaction had been concluded, the PCR product was purifiedby means of the PCR Purification Kit (Analytik Jena A G, Jena, Germany)and the parental, N6-adenine-methylated DNA was digested with the aid ofthe restriction enzyme dpnI. The peculiarity of this enzyme is that itunspecifically restricts N6-adenine-methylated DNA, but not thenewly-formed unmethylated DNA. Restriction took place by adding 1 μl ofdpnI to the PCR reaction mixture and incubating the mixture for 2 h orovernight at 37° C. 7.5 μl of this mixture were applied for thetransformation of 100 μl of chemically competent DH5α cells.

C) Activity Data of the Enzyme Mutants:

The activity measurement (see example 1) of the mutants which had beenmutagenized in position 64 revealed the data shown in Table 4hereinbelow. The expression [R64E] in the first column of the tablemeans that the arginine (R) in position 64 of the protein sequence hadbeen replaced by glutamic acid (E) in the mutant in question. Therespective amino acid is abbreviated using the international one-lettercode. Analogously, [R64D] means that an aspartic acid has beenintroduced at this position.

TABLE 4 Activities of the various 7β-HSDH variants which have beenmodified at position 64 Volumetric activity Specific activity Mutant[U/ml] [U/mg] 7β-HSDH (WT) 96.8 8.7 7β-HSDH [R64E] 892.7 60.2 7β-HSDH[R64D] 641.6 32.1 7β-HSDH [R64T] 450.5 27.4 7β-HSDH [R64L] 334 20.97β-HSDH [R64S] 333.7 20.1 7β-HSDH [R64P] 402.0 19.1 7β-HSDH [R64V] 407.715.1 7β-HSDH [R64K] 296.5 15.1 7β-HSDH [R64C] 269.7 14.19 7β-HSDH [R64A]273 13.77 7β-HSDH [R64G] 223 12.36 7β-HSDH [R64Q] 217 12.2 7β-HSDH[R64F] 216 10.5 7β-HSDH [R64W] 214 10.1 7β-HSDH [R64I] 171 9.83 7β-HSDH[R64Y] 220.3 9.7 7β-HSDH [R64H] 97.8 5.34 7β-HSDH [R64N] 3.4 0.6D) Michaelis-Menten Kinetics

The best mutants of the respective position were purified as per example1D, and the kinetic constants v_(max) and K_(M) for the substrate DHCAand the coenzyme NADPH were determined. FIG. 4 shows the diagrams of thecourse of the kinetics, and Table 5 lists the kinetic constants.

TABLE 5 kinetic constants for the purified enzyme 7β-HSDH [R64E] for thesubstrate DHCA and the cofactor NADPH. (x = no inhibition) EnzymeSubstrate V_(max) (U/mg) K_(M) (μM) K_(I) (mM) 7β-HSDH DHCA 41.56 ± 1.9 81.01 ± 18.9 74.23 ± 24.9 [R64E] NADPH 60.31 ± 15.6 45.48 ± 3.5  x7β-HSDH DHCA  8.7 ± 0.2 20.5 ± 2.9  79.8 ± 16.4 (WT) NADPH  8.8 ± 0.215.2 ± 2.2 x

Table 5 reveals that it was possible to increase the maximum velocity byapproximately 5-fold over that of the wild-type enzyme. The K_(M) valuehas remained the same. The substrate inhibition has become markedly lesspronounced.

Example 3: Generation of 7β-HSDH Mutants at Amino Acid Position 39, andtheir Characterization

A) Primers:

The mutagenesis primers listed in Table 6 were used for theposition-directed mutagenesis of the 7β-HSDH. Based on the 7β-HSDH genesequence, the primers were selected such that they bring about thedesired amino acid exchange. The following primer pairs were used forgenerating the mutants:

TABLE 6 primers for the position-directed mutagenesisof the 7β-HSDH at position 39 SEQ ID Name Exchange Primer NO:5′ -> 3′ Sequence G39S_for G39S forward 54 GTCGTCATGGTCAGCCGTCGCG AGGAGG39S_rev reverse 55 CTCCTCGCGACGGCTGACCATG ACGAC G39V_for G39V forward56 GTCGTCATGGTCGTCCGTCGCG AGGAG G39V_rev reverse 57CTCCTCGCGACGGACGACCATG ACGAC G39I_for G39I forward 58GTCGTCATGGTCATCCGTCGCG AGGAG G39I_rev reverse 59 CTCCTCGCGACGGATGACCATGACGAC G39C_for G39C forward 60 GTCGTCATGGTCTGCCGTCGCG AGGAG G39C_revreverse 61 CTCCTCGCGACGGCAGACCATG ACGAC G39K_for G39K forward 62GTCGTCATGGTCAAGCGTCGCG AGGAG G39K_rev reverse 63 CTCCTCGCGACGCTTGACCATGACGAC G39Y_for G39Y forward 64 GTCGTCATGGTCTACCGTCGCG AGGAG G39Y_revreverse 65 CTCCTCGCGACGGTAGACCATG ACGAC G39F_for G39F forward 66GTCGTCATGGTCTTCCGTCGCG AGGAG G39F_rev reverse 67 CTCCTCGCGACGGAAGACCATGACGAC G39R_for G39R forward 68 GTCGTCATGGTCCGCCGTCGCG AGGAG G39R_revreverse 69 CTCCTCGCGACGGCGGACCATG ACGACB) QuikChange® PCR:

The targeted exchange of glycine at position 39 for serine was carriedout by means of QuikChange® PCR as described in example 2B.

C) Activity Values of the Enzyme Mutants:

The activity measurement (see example 1) of the mutant which containsserine instead of glycine at position 39 (7β-HSDH [G39S]), revealed avolumetric activity of 735 U/ml and a specific enzymatic activity of52.9 U/mg protein, while the wild-type enzyme in comparison had avolumetric activity of 96.8 U/ml and a specific activity of 8.7 U/mg.

D) Michaelis-Menten Kinetics

The kinetic parameter constants v_(max) and K_(M) were determined withpurified enzyme. FIG. 5 shows the diagrams of the course of thekinetics, and Table 7 lists the kinetic constants.

TABLE 7 kinetic constants for the purified enzyme 7β-HSDH [G39S] for thesubstrate DHCA and the cofactor NADPH. (x = no inhibition) EnzymeSubstrate V_(max) (U/mg) K_(M) (μM) K_(I) (mM) 7β-HSDH DHCA 52.0 ± 1.9352.4 ± 42.7 51.8 ± 10.1 [G39S] NADPH 48.8 ± 2.2 34.5 ± 6.6 x 7β-HSDHDHCA  8.7 ± 0.2 20.5 ± 2.9 79.8 ± 16.4 NADPH  8.8 ± 0.2 15.2 ± 2.2 x

Table 7 reveals that it was possible to increase the maximum velocityover the wild-types by approximately 6-fold. In contrast, the K_(M)value has deteriorated by 4-fold. Just as in the case of the mutant inposition 64, substrate inhibition became somewhat less pronounced, butwas not eliminated.

Example 4: Generation of 7β-HSDH Mutants at Amino Acid Position 17 andtheir Characterization

A) Primers:

The mutagenesis primers mentioned in Table 8 were used for theposition-directed mutagenesis of the 7β-HSDH. The following primer pairswere used for generating the mutants:

TABLE 8 primers for the position-directed mutagenesis of the 7β-HSDH at position 17 SEQ ID Name Exchange Primer NO:5′ -> 3′ Sequence T17F_for T17F forward 46 ATCCTGGGCGCGTTCGAGGGCG TCGGCT17F_rev reverse 47 GCCGACGCCCTCGAACGCGCCC AGGAT T17I_for T17I forward48 ATCCTGGGCGCGATCGAGGGCG TCGGC T17I_rev reverse 49GCCGACGCCCTCGATCGCGCCC AGGAT T17A_for T17A forward 50ATCCTGGGCGCGGCCGAGGGCG TCGGC T17A_rev reverse 51 GCCGACGCCCTCGGCCGCGCCCAGGAT T17S_for T17S forward 52 TCCTGGGCGCGAGCGAGGGCGT C T17S_rev reverse53 GACGCCCTCGCTCGCGCCCAGG AB) QuikChange® PCR:

The targeted exchanges of threonine at position 17 for the amino acidsmentioned in Table 8 were carried out by QuikChange® PCR as described inexample 2B.

C) Activity Values of the Enzyme Mutants:

The activity measurements (see example 1) of the mutants which containan amino acid other than threonine at position 17 are compiled in Table9.

TABLE 9 activities of the various 7 β-HSDH variants which have beenmodified at position 17. Volumetric Specific activity activity Mutant[U/ml] [U/mg] 7β-HSDH (WT) 96.8 8.7 7β-HSDH [T17F] 645.2 46.1 7β-HSDH[T17A] 541 20.3 7β-HSDH [T17I] 299.8 18.4 7β-HSDH [T17S] 580 17.2

Example 5: Generation of 7β-HSDH Mutants which Comprise Amino AcidExchanges in Several Positions, and their Characterization

Besides the individual mutants described in examples 2-4, it is alsopossible to advantageously combine mutations. By way of example, a dualmutant was generated in which position 39 and 64 were modified at thesame time. Here, the best amino acid exchange at position 39 ([G39S])was combined with the best exchange at position 64 ([R64E]).

A) Generation and Activity Values for the Dual Mutant

The method of obtaining the dual mutant, and the activity test, followedthe methods as described under 2B and 2C.

Table 10 compiles the activity values for the dual mutant in comparisonwith the values for the wild-type enzyme.

TABLE 10 activity values of the 7β-HSDH dual mutant [G39S/R64E] incomparison with the wild-type enzyme. Volumetric Specific activityactivity Mutant [U/ml ] [U/mg ] 7β-HSDH (WT) 96.8 8.7 7β-HSDH [G39S/R64E] 1115.0 57.5B) SDS Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

An SDS-PAGE was carried out in order to be able to assess the expressionperformance of the heterologous expression. The dual mutant was appliedby way of example. FIG. 6 shows such an SDS gel which, by applying thecrude cell extract, demonstrates that this mutant shows very goodoverexpressions; the broad band which runs at approx. 30 kDa confirmsthat the intracellular soluble protein consists to a high degree of thedual mutant only. In addition, the gel confirms the degree of purity ofthe purified dual mutant. The molecular weight of the mutant amounts toapproximately 29.9 kDa.

C) Michaelis-Menten Kinetics

The mutant [G39S/R64E] was purified (see item 3), and the kineticparameters were determined for the purified enzyme. FIG. 7 shows thediagrams of the courses, and Table 11 lists the kinetic constants.

TABLE 11 kinetic constants for the purified enzyme 7β-HSDH [G39S/R64E]for the substrate DHCA and the cofactor NADPH. (x = no inhibition)Enzyme Substrate V_(max) (U/mg) K_(M) (μM) K_(I) (mM) 7β-HSDH DHCA 54.3± 1.6 349.3 ± 5.23 x [G39S/R64E] NADPH 75.5 ± 4.8  76.6 ± 15.9 x

It can be seen from the diagram of the course (for the substrate DHCA)in FIG. 7 that the result of the combination of positions 39 and 64 wasthat the 7β-HSDH no longer demonstrates a substrate inhibition.Furthermore, it was possible to increase the activity by approx. 7-fold.Compilation of the improvements/modifications achieved by way of exampleaccording to the invention:

n.d.=not determined

7β Vmax Substrate Cofactor Type (DHCA) inhibition Ki specificity WTNADPH R64E +5-fold better + reduced NADPH G39S +6-fold better + reducedNADPH T17F +5-fold better n.d. NADPH/ low activity with NADH G39S/+7-fold better + + eliminated NADPH R64E (Data in comparison with thewild type)Assignment of SEQ ID NOs:

SEQ ID NO: Description Type 1 7β-HSDH C. aerofaciens (wild type) NA 27β-HSDH C. aerofaciens (wild type) AA 3 7β-HSDH C. aerofaciens (wildtype) AA (with His tag) 4   7β-HSDH R64E Mutant (with His tag) AA 5  7β-HSDH G39S Mutant (with His tag) AA 6 7β-HSDH G39S R64E Mutant (withHis tag)  AA 7           GDH (B. subtilis) NA 8           GDH (B.subtilis) AA 9           3α-HSDH (C. testosteroni) NA 10          3α-HSDH (C. testosteroni) AA 11           FDH (wild type) AA(M. vaccae) 12 PCR primer NA 13 PCR primer NA 14 PCR primer NA 15 PCRprimer NA 16 PCR primer NA 17 PCR primer NA 18 PCR primer NA 19 PCRprimer NA 20 PCR primer NA 21 PCR primer NA 22 PCR primer NA 23 PCRprimer NA 24 PCR primer NA 25 PCR primer NA 26 PCR primer NA 27 PCRprimer NA 28 PCR primer NA 29 PCR primer NA 30 PCR primer NA 31 PCRprimer NA 32 PCR primer NA 33 PCR primer NA 34 PCR primer NA 35 PCRprimer NA 36 PCR primer NA 37 PCR primer NA 38 PCR primer NA 39 PCRprimer NA 40 PCR primer NA 41 PCR primer NA 42 PCR primer NA 43 PCRprimer NA 44 PCR primer NA 45 PCR primer NA 46 PCR primer NA 47 PCRprimer NA 48 PCR primer NA 49 PCR primer NA 50 PCR primer NA 51 PCRprimer NA 52 PCR primer NA 53 PCR primer NA 54 PCR primer NA 55 PCRprimer NA 56 PCR primer NA 57 PCR primer NA 58 PCR primer NA 59 PCRprimer NA 60 PCR primer NA 61 PCR primer NA 62 PCR primer NA 63 PCRprimer NA 64 PCR primer NA 65 PCR primer NA 66 PCR primer NA 67 PCRprimer NA 68 PCR primer NA 69 PCR primer NA AA = Amino Acid sequence NA= Nucleic Acid sequence

The disclosure of the publications mentioned herein is expresslyreferred to.

The ASCII text file named “054410-7076US2DIV_ST25.txt,” created on Sep.18, 2020, comprising 35 kilobytes, is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A nucleic acid encoding a 7β-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase (7β-HSDH) that catalyzes at least the stereospecificenzymatic reduction of a 7-ketosteroid to the corresponding7-hydroxysteroid, wherein the enzyme comprises a mutation at position 64of SEQ ID NO:2 or in the corresponding sequence positions of an aminoacid sequence derived therefrom with at least 90% sequence identity toSEQ ID NO:2; wherein the mutation at position 64 is the mutation R64X₁,wherein X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W, I or Y;and wherein the enzyme shows the following property profile incomparison with the 7β-HSDH with SEQ ID NO:2: a) an increased specificactivity (Vmax [U/mg]) for NADPH in the enzymatic reduction ofdehydrocholic acid (DHCA) with NADPH as cofactor; and additionallyoptionally: b) an increased specific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for DHCA inthe enzymatic reduction of DHCA with NADPH as cofactor; c) a reducedsubstrate inhibition by DHCA; d) a modified cofactor specificity withrespect to NADH and NADPH; and e) it being possible for these propertiesb), c) and d) to be present individually or in any combination.
 2. Anexpression cassette comprising the nucleic acid according to claim 1under the control of at least one regulatory sequence.
 3. An expressionvector comprising the expression cassette according to claim
 2. 4. Arecombinant microorganism carrying the nucleic acid according toclaim
 1. 5. A recombinant microorganism carrying the expression cassetteaccording to claim
 2. 6. A recombinant microorganism carrying theexpression vector according to claim
 3. 7. The recombinant microorganismaccording to claim 5, further comprising the coding sequence for atleast one further enzyme selected from hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases(HSDH) and dehydrogenases suitable for cofactor regeneration.
 8. Therecombinant microorganism according to claim 6, additionally carryingthe coding sequence for at least one further enzyme selected fromhydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDH) and dehydrogenases suitable forcofactor regeneration.
 9. A recombinant microorganism according to claim8, wherein the additional HSHD is selected from 3α-HSDHs; or thedehydrogenase suitable for cofactor regeneration is selected from NADPHregenerating enzymes, and NADH regenerating enzymes.
 10. The recombinantmicroorganism according to claim 4 which is a 7α-HSDH knock-out strain.11. A nucleic acid encoding a 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7β-HSDH)that catalyzes at least the stereospecific enzymatic reduction of a7-ketosteroid to the corresponding 7-hydroxysteroid, wherein the enzymecomprises a mutation at position 64 of SEQ ID NO:2 or in thecorresponding sequence positions of an amino acid sequence derivedtherefrom with at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2, andadditionally has at least one mutation in the sequence motif VMVGRRE asper position 36 to 42 of SEQ ID NO:2 or in the corresponding sequencemotif of an amino acid sequence derived therefrom with at least 80%sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2; wherein the mutation at position 64 isthe mutation R64X₁, wherein X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A,G, Q, F, W, I or Y; and wherein the enzyme shows the following propertyprofile in comparison with the 7β-HSDH with SEQ ID NO:2: a) an increasedspecific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for NAD(P)H in the enzymatic reductionof dehydrocholic acid (DHCA) with NAD(P)H as cofactor; and additionallyoptionally: b) an increased specific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for DHCA inthe enzymatic reduction of DHCA with NADPH as cofactor; c) a reducedsubstrate inhibition by DHCA; d) a modified cofactor specificity withrespect to NADH and NADPH; and e) it being possible for these propertiesb), c) and d) to be present individually or in any combination.
 12. Thenucleic acid claimed in claim 11, wherein said 7β-HSDH further comprisesthe amino acid sequence mutation G39X₃ wherein X₃ represents an aminoacid residue other than glycine (G).
 13. The nucleic acid claimed inclaim 11, wherein said 7β-HSDH is selected from the group consisting ofthe dual mutants R64X₁/G39X₃, wherein: X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P,V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W, I or Y; and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K,Y, F or R.
 14. The nucleic acid as claimed in claim 13 wherein the dualmutant is selected from the group consisting of: (G39S/R64E);(G39S/R64D); (G39S/R64T); (G39S/R64L); (G39S/R64S); (G39S/R64P);(G39S/R64V); (G39A/R64E); (G39A/R64D); (G39A/R64T); (G39A/R64S);(G39A/R64L); (G39A/R64P); and (G39A/R64V).
 15. A process for theenzymatic or microbial synthesis of 7β-hydroxysteroids, wherein thecorresponding 7-ketosteroid is detected in the presence of a7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7β-HSDH) that catalyzes at least thestereospecific enzymatic reduction of a 7-ketosteroid to thecorresponding 7-hydroxysteroid, wherein the enzyme comprises a mutationat position 64 of SEQ ID NO:2 or in the corresponding sequence positionsof an amino acid sequence derived therefrom with at least 90% sequenceidentity to SEQ ID NO:2; wherein the mutation at position 64 is themutation R64X₁, wherein X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G,Q, F, W, I or Y; and wherein the enzyme shows the following propertyprofile in comparison with the 7β-HSDH with SEQ ID NO:2: a) an increasedspecific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for NADPH in the enzymatic reduction ofdehydrocholic acid (DHCA) with NADPH as cofactor; and additionallyoptionally: b) an increased specific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for DHCA inthe enzymatic reduction of DHCA with NADPH as cofactor; c) a reducedsubstrate inhibition by DHCA; d) a modified cofactor specificity withrespect to NADH and NADPH; and e) it being possible for these propertiesb), c) and d) to be present individually or in any combination.
 16. Aprocess for the enzymatic or microbial synthesis of 7β-hydroxysteroids,wherein the corresponding 7-ketosteroid is detected in the presence of a7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7β-HSDH) that catalyzes at least thestereospecific enzymatic reduction of a 7-ketosteroid to thecorresponding 7-hydroxysteroid, wherein the enzyme comprises a mutationat position 64 of SEQ ID NO:2, and additionally has at least onemutation in the sequence motif VMVGRRE as per position 36 to 42 of SEQID NO:2 or in the corresponding sequence positions of an amino acidsequence derived therefrom with at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ IDNO:2; wherein the mutation at position 64 is the mutation R64X₁, whereinX₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q, F, W, I or Y; andwherein the enzyme shows the following property profile in comparisonwith the 7β-HSDH with SEQ ID NO:2: a) an increased specific activity(Vmax [U/mg]) for NADPH in the enzymatic reduction of dehydrocholic acid(DHCA) with NADPH as cofactor; and additionally optionally: b) anincreased specific activity (Vmax [U/mg]) for DHCA in the enzymaticreduction of DHCA with NADPH as cofactor; c) a reduced substrateinhibition by DHCA; d) a modified cofactor specificity with respect toNADH and NADPH; and e) it being possible for these properties b), c) andd) to be present individually or in any combination.
 17. The processaccording to claim 16, wherein said 7β-HSDH further comprises the aminoacid sequence mutation G39X₃ wherein X₃ represents an amino acid residueother than glycine (G).
 18. The process according to claim 16, whereinsaid 7β-HSDH is selected from the group consisting of the dual mutantsR64X₁/G39X₃, wherein: X₁ represents E, D, T, L, S, P, V, K, C, A, G, Q,F, W, I or Y; and X₃ represents S, A, V, I, L, C, K, Y, F or R.
 19. Theprocess according to claim 18, wherein the dual mutant is selected fromthe group consisting of: (G39S/R64E); (G39S/R64D); (G39S/R64T);(G39S/R64L); (G39S/R64S); (G39S/R64P); (G39S/R64V); (G39A/R64E);(G39A/R64D); (G39A/R64T); (G39A/R64S); (G39A/R64L); (G39A/R64P); and(G39A/R64V).
 20. The process of claim 16, wherein the 7-ketosteroid isselected from the group consisting of Dehydrocholic acid (DHCA),7-keto-lithocholic acid (7-keto-LCS), 7,12-diketo-ithocholic acid(7,12-diketo-LCS) and derivatives thereof.
 21. The process of claim 16,wherein spent NADPH is regenerated by coupling with an NADPHregenerating enzyme.
 22. The process of claim 21, wherein the NADPHregenerating enzyme is selected from the group consisting of FDHs andGDHs.